On Monday, Nov. 21, the We Can Be Heroes Foundation presented a large Gratitude Proclamation Banner signed by citizens of St. Johns County to members of the local law enforcement community. The presentation was made at the Sheriff’s Office.
The banner was created to express the gratitude of the citizens for law enforcement in the county.
Bill Dudley, Veterans Council of St. Johns County chair, said he took the banner to various organizations and churches and people lined up to sign it. But the 128 signature spots quickly filled.
“I ran out of slots,” Dudley said Monday during the presentation. He said, at a time when some communities are seeing calls to defund the police, St. Johns County and the state of Florida support law enforcement.
“We are proud of the service of all of our officers and respect them for their contribution to the safety of our community,” he said.
The We Can Be Heroes Foundation is a national, all-volunteer nonprofit headquartered in Jacksonville.
“It’s our plan to present a banner to each county in the free state of Florida to show our appreciation for law enforcement,” explained foundation President Beth Heath. “We want to stand with them as they stand with us.”
The organization’s mission is to publicize nominations from across the nation of heroes, many unsung heroes, including first responders, community volunteers, veterans and heroic youths.
“We also help veterans in need,” said Heath. “We sponsor the Clara White Mission program in Jacksonville. We also sponsor the Atlantic Coast Young Marines and the Asian American Pacific Islanders chapter.”
Sheriff Robert Hardwick praised all the people who make up his department working in a variety of capacities.
“It’s easy to police a community in a state where you’re appreciated,” Hardwick said. “We have a governor who supports us, an attorney general, a legislature that supports law enforcement in the state of Florida. So, we’re truly blessed.”
St. Augustine Police Chief Jennifer Michaux and St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Daniel Carswell joined Hardwick in expressing their appreciation to the foundation.
For further information on the foundation, go to wecanbeheroesfoundation.org.
