Several weeks ago, I called one of my most favorite friends, Ms. Patty Duguay at the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, and I inquired as to whether or not there was a “Police Appreciation Day.”

Naturally, Patty Duguay got right back to me after she surfed the Web. She discovered that there was an appreciation day in May. I was in awe of this as I did not know about that one.

I am not familiar with any kind of community or state of Maine Police Appreciation Day.

As a citizen of the Rumford area, I want to express my appreciation to the local police department.

I would like to also encourage other citizens in Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield, as well as church groups, community agencies and senior citizens, to become organized and have a Police Appreciation Day.

The police deserve our respect for being the guardians of our protection and safety.

How many of us would choose to be a policeman or -woman in these days of violence, terrorism and uncertainty?

Perhaps, as a collective community, we can send a card or note to the local police departments and just say a genuine “thank you.”

It all works together for everyone’s benefit whenever we are able to appreciate and respect one another.

I am going to do my part. I invite you all to please join me. To be thankful is a gift.

Mitzi Sequoia, Rumford