Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Marvin was the only uncle I knew for a very long time. I miss him so much, writing this is is kind of hard for me. I can remember staying with him on many weekends. I always enjoyed the gifts he sent me when he was away, especially the book of childrens tales and my first kimono. I so miss his son as well "Baby Marvin" as we called him. I hope he remembers the times we spent together. I have 4 children the oldest a girl and the other 3 boys. With each of my pregnancies I would have dreams of my uncle, they would make me upset, but I started to think of them as him talking to me. I tell my oldest son that he has a guardian angel, b/c his birthday is September 6, 1995. My second son is born January 9, 2001, 2 days after Marvin's birthday, for this reason he has Marvin's middle name. In my boys I can see my uncle, so in a way I still have him with me I'm truly blessed for that. I Love and Miss You, Yhana

Yhana
Niece

December 30, 2006

I wish I had the chance to get to know you , you passed when I was so young. But hearing all the stories and seeing all the pictures of you, I feel like you never left us. My mother, grandmother, and aunts all love you and think about you everyday. We also think about your son, Marvin Courtney, my cousin whom I would love to meet again. You are loved and missed always. ---Mikala

Mikala Bland
niece

December 29, 2006

October 30, 2006: I was thinking about my friend, Marvin today, as I have many times over the years since our last meeting. When reading the "Relections" section, I read an entry from his son. That entry gave me mixed emotions. I felt sad at first because I remember the long conversations we had had over his son. You see, I was his partner while I worked there and car-pooled with him to and from work for more shifts than I can remember. We usually drove 45 minutes each way, and we talked about everything. I have never had the opportunity to talk with his son when he became an adult. He was a very little boy at that time. Make no mistake about it, I know him very well since I knew his father's love, ambitions and hopes for his boy. I was happy to read the article that his son wrote. It seems comfirmed that he has the same love for his father that his father had for him. I am very proud to have read his son's reflection today, and to know that his spirit and honor still live on earth in the form of his honorable son. I then laughed, thinking about Marvin's brand new black Pontiac Trans Am that we had to ride in most of the time because he loved it so much. The license plate was personalized: "ECHO." I asked him once, why "ECHO"? He responded, "I am a marine." He then stated "Once a marine, always a marine... SEMPER FI and I like it." I understood and never asked him about it again.I have never forgot my friend and have visited his name on the Police Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. on many occasions. I left that police department less than three months before his last end of watch. I moved to Reno, NV, and have been a police officer my entire adult life (26 year and still going). I have lost three more personal friends through the years during my tenure here in Reno. To all of our family, thank you and stay safe.

DETECTIVE CHARLIE DIMINO
RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT

October 30, 2006

Officer Bland...I never knew you personally, but I'm reminded everyday of your sacrifice, and your service when I enter our locker room for work. The officers here at bedford are proud of your service. I read a reflection by your son, my prayers go out to him and your family, and he is obviously proud of you as a father. It's a testimony to how he was raised. RIP and God Bless your family and those of us left behind to serve.

Ptlmn George LaPenta
VA Police Bedford, Ma

September 22, 2006

Officer Bland, 21 years ago today you were taken from this earth while doing your job. For your efforts on behalf of our Veterans and this great country, I thank you. I know you never truly left your family’s side and probably even ride along with current VA cops from time to time.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 6, 2006

I Would like to thank my father for serving as an example of how a life can and should be lived .I'm not big on words but i'd like to thank him for his service and i'd also like to thank all the brave men and women who protect our country in the military, the police and fire departments , risking their lives everyday for us .

Marvin Bland

Marvin Bland Jr
Son

April 22, 2006

John 11:35

D. Clark
Veterans Affairs

April 12, 2006

Officer Bland,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 6, 2005