A Message from Mayor Stimpson - November 11
Nov 11th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 7 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 11, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 18,197 COVID-19 cases, which is an increase of 117 cases. To review the most recent detailed reports from MCHD, click here.
We anticipate debris clean-up from hurricanes Sally and Zeta to continue throughout the month, and we're still asking that residents put out any new debris or trash on their regularly scheduled trash pick-up days. The City's drop-off sites for bagged debris at Langan Municipal Park and the James Seals Community Center will also remain open until our debris removal efforts have been completed.
It's been said a veteran is someone who writes a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for any amount - up to and including their own life. Throughout history, Mobilians have sent our sons and daughters into harm's way to protect the freedoms and the way of life we hold dear in the United States. There is also no shortage of veterans in our City who have answered the call to serve their country and then returned home to continue serving their community in civilian life.
Today, I had the honor of recognizing a man who has done just that. During the Veterans Day Honors Program presented by the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission, retired U.S. Navy Commander Pete Riehm was selected as the 2020 Veteran of the Year. Commander Riehm retired in Mobile in 2005 after a distinguished twenty-one-year career in the Navy that included tours in the Caribbean fighting the war on drugs, the Haitian Embargo and Invasion and service in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.
We are fortunate Commander Riehm decided to make Mobile his home, where he has continued in service to our community. He has particularly been a fixture in our veteran community and with our Blue Star families. He's also helped organize numerous events for current service members and their families.
It was an honor to help recognize Commander Riehm today for his unending service. However, I hope that we don't need a holiday to recognize the courage and sacrifice of U.S veterans. You may have thanked a veteran for his or her service today, but if you didn't, thank one tomorrow or the next day.
Reading the devotional "Jesus Calling" this morning, I was reminded again about the challenges we face and the way God prepares us for them each day. In Deuteronomy 33:25, we're told "As your day, so shall your strength be." Some days are harder than others, but I believe in a source of great strength.
The passage I read this morning said: "The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help. Look to Me for all that you need and watch and see what I will do."
Sleep tight!