Please, read a moving letter from Robin and Ron Griffin, Emerson Republican County Committee, in support of Mike Saudino for County Sheriff:

To my fellow Bergen County Republicans,

The day after my son was killed in Iraq (June 1, 2003) my wife and I pledged to ourselves that we would never cast blame on anyone for Kyle's death: for he died performing a mission he believed in, for a country he swore to protect, while loving being a soldier. Likewise, we dedicated ourselves to somehow making something good of this tragedy.

I asked permission from Chief Mike Saudino to speak at the ceremony swearing him in as President of the Bergen County Chiefs of Police Association, and I also asked his permission in allowing me to write to you and share our story. He would have never asked.

However, the story I am about to tell you must be told, for it allows you the opportunity to look into the heart of the man whom I hope you will vote for to be the Republican candidate for Bergen County Sheriff.

At exactly 07:00 hrs on Saturday morning, 01 June 2003, a member of the Emerson Police Department came to our house to extend his condolences and those of the Chief and the entire department. He had been instructed by the Chief to ascertain from us our wishes as to how we wanted to handle traffic, people visiting, or the me-dia. I told him since the street and our home were already full, I thought it best if we just let it happen as it was going to happen.

An hour later a man arrived in full dress uniform. That truly impressed me. What surprised me though was who was in that uniform. The last time I had seen Mike was in his deli making meatballs in the kitchen. I did not even know Mike was a cop, much less the Chief of Police. I had never spoken to Mike outside of the deli where I went on occasion when I was working in Emerson.

After I got over my astonishment, Mike and I spoke for a number of minutes wherein he told me that whatever assistance we might need he would be there to give it. I thanked him and he left.

On Sunday, 02 June 2003 Mike returned to the house for a very specific reason. He wanted to speak to the Casualty Assistance Officer who was assigned by the Army to guide us through our ordeal. Specifically Mike was trying to determine when and where Kyle was going to be returning so that, as Mike put it, he might have the honor and privilege of escorting Kyle back to Emerson. Even though that information was not yet available Mike asked our permission and we gladly gave it.

At the time we believed that Kyle would be arriving at Newark or LaGuardia or possibly Teterboro. As the week wore on we learned that Kyle would be returning to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Mike was there when we found out this information and he simply said without hesitation, 'Then we will go to Dover." As I stood there somewhat dazed, Sgt. Russell, our Casualty Assistance Officer, informed us that the military highly discouraged loved ones from going to Dover. However, when we found out that Kyle would be driven from Dover to Emerson in a lone hearse, I told Sgt. Russell that if Mike still wanted to go then we would drive down also to pick up Kyle for otherwise he was coming home alone. I figured that I could get our immediate family in our Dodge Caravan and Mike would put together a small motorcycle and police car escort.

Was I ever wrong! Chief Saudino personally drove us to Dover in his private motorhome, all 16 of us. The es-cort consisted of over 100 motorcycles and police cars. He managed to get the State Police to join in the escort and they briefly closed down portions of the New Jersey Turnpike in order that the caravan could drive straight through, especially at the toll plazas. Mike arranged for the Delaware State Police to meet us just on the other side of the Delaware Memorial Bridge and continue the escort directly to Dover. Kyle's flag draped coffin was placed in the hearse and it took its place in the procession just behind the police motorcycles and directly in front of the motorhome.

You must just try and imagine the depth of comfort and pride we were afforded by being able to travel home with Kyle directly in front of us. Even more moving than that were the demonstrations of sympathy and respect displayed by the drivers, passengers and toll takers as they realized what was happening as we proceeded home. But it was when we arrived in Emerson when the emotion of the moment truly overwhelmed. As we pulled into town, the streets were lined with people waving flags while either cheering for a returning hero or crying for that returning hero. When we arrived at Beckers Funeral home it too was overflowing with friends, neighbors and with unknown people hoping to help share our burden. It overwhelmed and strengthened us at the same time. It was an experience that could never be duplicated and had it not been for Mike it simply would not have happened.

It came from his heart. He knew it was the right thing to do and he simply did it for us - not for him.

Over these past years the families and towns of other Fallen Heroes have followed Mike's example and they too have experienced the comfort of being able to escort their loved one home. Sadly, a few short weeks ago, 14 January 2010 to be exact, Sgt. Christopher Hrbek was killed in Iraq. He lived in Westwood and coincidently his wife went to school with Kyle in Emerson. I was told by the manager of Beckers Funeral Home that the mo-ment they learned of Christopher's death they pulled out Kyle's file and went over every detail and passed those details on to the families. I stood in front of Beckers as Christopher returned home with the dignity, honor, and solemnity due this true hero. I stood next to Mike and could not help but believe that had it not been for him, the strength and comfort that was being poured out to the family might not have been the same. Mike had made it possible for everyone to be as one as they honored their fallen hero.

For anyone who has ever had the opportunity of watching the movie "Taking Chance" you saw what we and other families have experienced. Only individuals of strong and exemplary character could do what Ltc. Mi-chael Strobel or Chief Michael Saudino did. They did it simply because it was the right thing to do.

I will leave it to Mike and others to speak of the unparalleled professional qualifications that make him uniquely suited to be the next Bergen County Sheriff.
We have grown to know, respect, and in fact love Mike. We have often said that there is a reason for everything in life. In my heart I firmly believe that Kyle's death has made us better individuals and has made Mike a better person. The raw humanity of helping us through our ordeal has demonstrated to him that seemingly impossible situations can be turned into positive uplifting life lessons, and that all it takes is one man leading the way with a heart filled with care, love, and integrity. Mike has that all and more.

Respectfully,
Robin and Ron Griffi Emerson Republican Committee

Paid for by Robin and Ron Griffin

A note about a movie “Taking Chance”: we highly recommend this beautiful movie for your viewing. Kevin Bacon, the main character in this movie about coming home of a fallen Marine, has given a moving performance that well deserved an Oscar. More information about the movie produced by HBO at http://www.hbo.com/movies/taking-chance/index.html#/movies/taking-chance...

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