- April 26, 2024
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Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin pridefully announced the USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, as a sister city to Palm Coast in Tuesday, Nov. 1 city council meeting.
The proclamation came on the heels of the mayor and city council proclaiming November as veteran's appreciation month. The mayor asked all the veterans in the room to come forward — there were eight, including Councilman Ed Danko — in recognition as he read both proclamations.
"This comes as deeply from my heart as you can possibly imagine," Alfin said.
The city and Flagler County will also be hosting a combined Veteran's Day ceremony to honor veterans on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at Central Park in Town Center.
"As far as we know, [this is] the first time a Florida city — or perhaps any city — has adopted a United States aircraft carrier." — Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin
Declaring two cities a— or in this case, a city and a aircraft carrier — as "sister cities," signifies a long-term relationship between the two locations.
"We chose the Navy only because of the invitation and the fact that the Navy ship is a city at sea," Alfin said. "But this is with respect to every veteran from every branch of the service here at the city of Palm Coast."
The proclamation stated that "Palm Coast consists of the largest concentration of veterans in the country with over 10% of the population being veterans."
According to the Florida Department of Veteran's Affairs, Florida has the third largest veteran's population in the nation, with 1,492,000 veterans.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, and departed on its first deployment on Monday Oct. 3, according to a press release on the United States Navy's website.
It is the flagship for Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, the website said. Their first operation will include "air, maritime, and ground assets from NATO Allies and partner nations."
Mayor Alfin was invited to tour the USS Gerald R. Ford by retired Navy Capt. Randy Stapleford, Military and Veteran Affairs liaison for the Office of Congressman Michael Waltz. Alfin was able to hand-deliver a key to the City of Palm Coast, and a proclamation declaring the two as sister cities.
"The military is a pillar of our community," Alfin said in an article describing his trip on the USS Gerald R. Ford. "And nothing can be more important than for us to respect, cherish and value those who serve and put their lives on the line for us."
Alfin wrote that he has never felt prouder to be an American, nor felt more optimism, than when he was standing onboard the carrier.
After city council, Alfin said that feeling of being surrounded by those men and women and knowing they were going to carry on the future was inspiring.
"It's an amazing feeling," Alfin said.
The Palm Coast Citizen's Academy closed out their 52nd class with certificates of completion at Tuesday Nov. 1 city council meeting.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin handed out the certificates to each graduate.
“I attended Citizens Academy ten-plus years ago and I still considered it one of the best ways to learn about your community,” Alfin said.
The Palm Coast Citizens Academy is a six-week program educating residents on city government and departments, according to a press release from Palm Coast.
The course is free, but registration is limited to 30 participants per session, and is offered twice a year in the spring and fall.
