- April 19, 2024
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Dear Editor:
It was back in February when I decided to bring some much-needed positive attention to the plight of our police officers for the 2018 National Police Memorial Week in May, and by doing so hopefully bring great honor to the almost 200 officers who gave their lives in the line of duty last year.
Having served as a young NYPD patrol officer back in the mid-1960s, also a very violent decade, allowed me a unique insight/perspective as to the dangers faced by these officers on a daily basis.
Realizing that the city of Flagler Beach was small enough to help bring the much-needed recognition, I began to seed the main downtown area A1A/Moody Boulevard with police "thin blue line" flags, distributing them to both local merchants and homeowners.
This plan proved to be very well accepted by our community, and I soon discovered that the vast majority of the people contacted loved this idea, and truly wanted to show their respect and support for our officers during this special time.
Flagler Beach, under the leadership of City Manager Larry Newsom, Police Chief Matt Doughney (who, by the way, received the first flag for his station), city staff, etc., all came on board and added additional blue flags into the mix by displaying them both in and around Veterans Park.
Our community working together as it did truly transformed our great little city by painting it blue, which in turn made this important effort an even more inspiring success, something we can certainly all be proud of.
Our greatest thanks go out to all the fine men and women around our beautiful country who place their own lives at risk each and every day in order to keep us safe. We must always hold them in high regard.
Arthur Woosley
Flagler Beach
Editor's Note: The city of Flagler Beach is planning to honor Arthur Woosley at its May 24 City Commission meeting. Also, Police Chief Matt Doughney wrote the following in an email to the Palm Coast Observer: "It's been amazing week! ... The positive response to Art’s idea of supporting law enforcement with 'thin blue line' flags throughout the city has been overwhelming! Public support means the world to us in law enforcement, and we couldn’t be prouder to work in and for a city that truly values what we do each and every day to keep our community safe. Thanks to Art for his passionate idea and to our community for embracing this year’s Police Week."
