Blessed are the peacemakers . . .

Trooper Island Appreciation Day kicked off the start of another camping season for the youth camp located in the southwest corner of Clinton County on Dale Hollow Lake.  The annual event is held traditionally on the Saturday prior to the first week of the new camping season.  Above, Camp Director KSP Trooper Jonathan Biven is shown during a prayer that was led by camp staff member Jeff Brown, right, just minutes following a ceremony that saw several other staff members placing a wreath in front of the Trooper Island Fallen Officer memorial.
Operated by the Kentucky State Police, the camp provides a free week of summer camp to about 700 at-risk and underprivileged youths from Kentucky each summer. Since it’s first camping season in 1965, the camp has seen an estimated 30,000 youth enjoy the facility.  Additional photos from Saturday’s kick-off event appear this week on page 3.

Family members of Kentucky State Police Trooper Anson Blake Tribby were on hand and recognized as special guests Saturday during Trooper Island Appreciation Day when the Fallen Officer Memorial service was held at 12:00 noon. Trooper Tribby was the last Kentucky State Police officer who died in the line of duty. He was killed in a traffic accident on I-64 near Winchester.

The Kentucky State Police Honor Guard presented the colors prior to the names of the Kentucky State Police officers who have died in the line of duty being read to those attending Saturday’s Appreciation Day event at Trooper Island Camp.

First-year Trooper Island Camp Director KSP Trooper Jonathan Biven, left, presents an Appreciation Plaque to Danny Gibson of Bailey – Gibson GMC Trucks in Glasgow, for his assistance in helping acquire the new truck that will be featured in this year’s Trooper Island Truck Raffle.

The 2015 camping season is now underway at Trooper Island Youth Camp on Dale Hollow Lake in the south-west corner of Clinton County, marked with last Saturday’s annual Trooper Island Appreciation Day. Several scenes from Saturday’s events are included here.

The camp, operated by the Kentucky State Police, provides a free week of camp to at-risk and underprivileged youth each year. Serving about 700 youth each season, the camp has served an estimated 30,000 Kentucky youth since it’s first camping season in 1965.

The camp is funded entirely through private donations and fundraising efforts.

A new boat dock has been completed at Trooper Island Camp and at Saturday’s Appreciation Day, the dock was re-dedicated in honor of the late Kentucky State Police Sgt. Stanley Butler.

Above, Camp Director Trooper Jonathan Biven, left, and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer, unveiled the plaque noting the new dock is named “Sergeant Butler Dock”.

Standing in front of the Fallen Officer Memorial, Trooper Island staff counselor Bailey Birge performed the National Anthem at the beginning of Saturday’s Appreciation Day program.