Today, I am bringing you commentary about the events in Israel but not as news but as heartfelt thoughts and activity. I start with a statement from our Congressman, Buddy Carter. I have come to know him as a man of great heart and depth, truly for “we the people”.
“I stand firmly and unshakably with the Jewish people, both at home and abroad. The United States must assist Israel as it seeks to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization. Innocent civilians are dying due to this Iran-backed terrorist group’s extreme antisemitism, which the United States condemns in the strongest possible terms. My thoughts and prayers are with those mourning the loss of loved ones. I look forward to electing a new Speaker so that we can immediately provide our ally, Israel, with the aid it needs.”
Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter told me his thoughts, emphasizing how closely the attacks “hit home”.
“We are praying for our ally as they face their own 9/11. Richmond Hill has connections to Israel. An Israeli company was the first to open in our industrial park. And, the Richmond Hill Police Department was part of a mutual training program with Israeli police and Georgia law enforcement.”
The Mayor sought out an Israeli flag which hangs at city hall, a statement of concern and commitment. The media outlets have broadcast the recent attacks on Israel.
The death and destruction of thousands of innocent lives have resulted in a need for daily essentials. Many within Richmond Hill set up volunteer locations for donated items such as first aid kits, diapers, toys, blankets; these items will be used to hopefully improve upon the unfathomable distress these families are experiencing.
The organization the mayor referred to is The Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), a one-of-a-kind program that sends law enforcement delegates from all over Georgia to Israel and law enforcement delegates from Israel to Georgia.
The purpose is to learn from each other about training, policing techniques, operations, and more.
Jason Sakelarios, whom I wrote about in the December 9, 2021 paper, was an officer chosen to participate in the program. “I was a delegate in this program in November 2021 and my personal experience with the Israeli police and the people of Israel was life altering. The men and women who stand guard over the citizens are highly educated, trained and utmost professionals. My participation in this program was truly the pinnacle of my professional training career. In November of 2022 a group of Israeli police officers toured Georgia as part of the GILEE program. One of the places they visited was Richmond Hill where they learned about the city’s history, how the Richmond Hill Police Department provides service to its citizens and our department’s capabilities. Much information was shared between the delegates and the officers of the Richmond Hill Police Department. Sadly, one of the Israeli delegates was killed in the terrorist attacks. Chief of the Rahat Police, JR Davidov, a promising officer with a tremendous career died while defending the citizens he was sworn to protect. His memory will live on, but the world is lesser without his presence in it.”
I present these comments, as they were given to me to show how close we are to the world. The people of Bryan County are donating money to GILEE, donating everyday necessities to the people and praying for our partner, Israel, to thrive and heal.
Georgene Brazer is chair of the Richmond HIll Downtown Development Authority. To find out more about GILEE, or to make a tax deductible donation online through the Georgia State University Foundation, visit https://netcommunity. gsu.edu. See information on a community donation drive for the Middle East in this paper.