As part of its ongoing commitment to community, service, and supporting those who protect our region, Ascentra Credit Union has donated $20,000 to the inaugural Quad City Back the Blue Flight.

The new program honors local law enforcement officers, both active and retired, by providing a one-day chartered flight to Washington, D.C., where participants will visit the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall and other historic sites.

Quad City Back the Blue Flight’s mission is to support and honor law enforcement officers across the Quad Cities by offering an all-expenses-paid, roundtrip experience designed to recognize their service and sacrifice, according to a recent Ascentra release. In addition to officers, each flight will include a family member of a local officer who was killed in the line of duty, ensuring that fallen heroes are honored and remembered.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial — which honors federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty — was dedicated in Washington, D.C. in 1991.

The upcoming trip will depart from the Quad City International Airport on the morning of Sept. 9, and include chartered airfare, ground transportation, meals, and guided visits to the National Police Officers Memorial Wall and Museum, the Capitol, the National Spy Museum, and other significant landmarks. The experience gives officers a meaningful opportunity to reflect, connect with peers, and honor the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Law enforcement officers protect our communities with courage and selflessness,” said Linda Andry, president and CEO of Ascentra Credit Union. “We are proud to help support the launch of a program that recognizes those serving our communities; past, present, and future.”

The organization also aims to raise awareness about local law enforcement needs and concerns, while fostering continued support for future flights. Its long-term goal is to make these experiences in Washington, D.C. available to as many active and retired law enforcement professionals as possible.

“Back the Blue Flight will make a profound impact on the lives of our officers,” said Greg Keller, board president of Quad City Back the Blue Flight. “Thanks to Ascentra’s generosity and leadership, we are able to honor those who serve and remember those who gave everything.”

The first Quad City Back the Blue Flight Sept. 9, 2026 will visit the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the memorial honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

As of January 2026, 111 federal, state, county, municipal, and U.S. Territories officers died in the line of duty in 2025, representing a 25% decrease compared to the 148 officers who died in the line of duty during 2024.

For more information, click HERE.

Members of Ascentra Credit Union’s present a $20,000 donation to Quad City Back the Blue Flight to support its inaugural flight Sept. 9. Pictured (from left) are Jennifer Naeve, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Ascentra Credit Union; Nancy Renkes, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Curt Wilson, Board Member, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Penny Guenther, Board Treasurer, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Linda Andry, Ascentra president and CEO; Josh Paul, Board Member, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Greg Keller, Board President, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Josh Kluever, Board Member, Quad City Back the Blue Flight; Beth Grabin, Chief Financial Officer, Ascentra Credit Union; John Reynolds, Board Member, QC Back the Blue Flight; Amy Larson, Board Secretary, QC Back the Blue Flight; Barry Shaw, Community Partner Director, Ascentra Credit Union; and Gary Hoegner, Board Member, QC Back the Blue Flight.

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.