Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 15:07
On May 9, 2012, Fallen Blue held their first benefit concert at the Baltimore Soundstage, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Speaking on behalf of the Board Of Directors, I can say that our first show was a real blast, thanks to the artists who played, and to the fans who showed up and supported us. To the artists who donated their time & resources for the show, Dave DeMarco Band, Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Wildstreet, Johnny Dee (Doro, Britny Fox), Jack Starr (Virgin Steele), Beverely Allgood, Iconic Tonic, Riptide, Steve Augeri (Journey), Rob Fahey (The Rayvns), King Belvedere, Miljenko “Mili” Matijevic (Steelheart), Ronnie & Thane (Ghost Of War), Randy Jackson (Zebra), and our National Spokesperson, AJ Pero (Twisted Sister, TRED), I can't thank you enough from the bottom of my heart. For those that were lucky to be at the show, you truly witnessed one-of-a-kind performances from some truly amazing musicians.
The show wouldn't have gone as smooth without a couple of supporters & sponsors who really stepped up to the plate: Vince Anderson (Shockwave Magazine), Sherri Love (Gigging Musicians Network), Bryan Hackedorn (Signal4), and Bill & Lori Chavis (Jamsync Music). Fallen Blue is grateful for everything they have done from the onset of the planning of this show, and without them, it wouldn't have been sucessful.
I would also like to take this time to thank several of the radio/ television stations that helped with promotion and press for the show: Digital Revolution Radio, Knuckle-Up TV, 98 Rock, 100.7 The Bay, and 97Underground.com. We look forward to building our relationship with them as we move forward with future events.
The crew from Get Behind The Badge (Ohio) also set-up shop at the show, and it was our honor to
Spread the word! If you are law enforcement, you may want to check this out! Thanks to Warrant for their incredible support of Fallen Blue. If you buy tickets to our benefit, May 9, 2012, at the Baltimore Soundstage, you may not only win tickets to the entire M3 Rock Festival weekend, but also catch Warrant in a special acoustic show!
For tickets to our show: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/106213
All information on the M3 Rock Festival: www.m3rockfest.com

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 11:59

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 15:00
As we pause to honor our law enforcement officers during National Police week this may, Let us think about those who have gone before us not because they were killed on the job, but because they took their own lives because of the job. These are the ones we don't talk about or honor because their death wasn't a "Line of Duty" death. That makes it not seem so honorable. Yet their service to their communit was outstanding. Their careers were marked with commendations. They put their lives on the line every single day. Yet something troubled them deep inside. They couldn't seek help, that would make them appear weak. They couldn't tell their partners, cops just keep everything inside. Some are stronger minded than others, they can live with it, some can't.
We need to spend as much time and money on their mental health as we do on all the other training the rceive on a regular basis. We need to make them never fear asking for help. To never worry that their careers will be infringed upon, that someone will find out and they will be thought of as a mental case, or worse. We need to let them know we care.
SUICIDE: Not something anyone really wants to talk about. I know first hand the ramifications of this ugly word.
We want our cops to be there for us at a moments notice, night and day, no matter what.. And the ARE! But do we ever put a moments thought into what life is like for them? The reason i believe psychological counseling should be mandatory for all law enforcement officers is simple. Their daily routine consist of all the ugly horrors of life. They see it, they smell it, they breathe it. They take it with them wherever they g. They are too tough to ask for help and they dont want anyone to know that they hurt. Its too embarrassing. Historically, police officers have been ridiculed for getting help. That would make them "appear weak" . Anyway, that's what my husband told me. and "It will ruin my career".. So instead of getting help, he put a .380 to his chest and pulled the trigger.
We expect our cops to put their lives on the line every day on the job, we expect them to be up to date with all their training. Know the newest technology to solve crimes, drive the best equipped vehicle, carry the most reliable equipment. yet, we never once think about the mental health. We ask them to work shifts that take an extra 10 years off their life, we never think about their emotional health.
Why shouldn't their minds be as sharp as their knowledge? Why shouldn't they feel comfortable asking for help?
Suicide, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence are all things that are widespread among law enforcement. Does anyone every wonder why?
This is one of the most stressful careers a man or a woman can choose. There should be safeguards in place so that these servants of our country can be saved. If one life can be saved because of my writings, because of my attempts to have a law passed, then my work will be worth it.
No one wants to find their life partner in a pool of blood on the living room floor. I didn't, but it happened. I watched my husband die right in front of me and there was nothing i could do. I will never know that if he had gotten help this would not have happened. However, I know that he didn't get help because he was afraid. I want every law enforcement officer in this country to never be afraid again.
Rebecca M. Donahue
