WATCH: The Blessing of the Badges

FRONT ROYAL – On Saturday (Nov. 4), the Warren-Page Chapter of the NAACP held the Blessing of the Badges Ceremony at the Warren Community Center in Front Royal.

The ceremony recognized new Front Royal Police Chief Kerry L. “Kahle” Magalis, II,  who assumed the position last month and Captain Wayne Sager, of the Strasburg Police Department, who was selected by the Strasburg Town Council to become chief in January, 2018, when current Police Chief Tim Sutherly retires.

A.D. Carter, III, President of the NAACP chapter,  said, “We need to honor these people and tell them ‘thank you’. They’re the unsung heroes in our community.”

Carter went on the say that the purpose of the blessing is to celebrate the fact that the men and women who serve as first-responders in the community make a tremendous difference.

Keynote speaker was The Right Reverend Vince McLaughlin, Th.D., D.Litt., Ph.D.  He was born in the United States but grew up in Scotland.  He is unequivocally a “Scot tried and true.” In his personal life, he is married to Christine Marie McLaughlin with three grown daughters and four grandchildren (two granddaughters and two grandsons). He currently serves the Rockland Community Church.