Yulee, Fla. – Two Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, Lacie Gibson (17) and Mason Garrick (17), were selected from a competitive list to be able to be a part of the inaugural American Legion Youth Academy.
American Legion Post 54, located in Fernandina Beach, sponsored the explorers to attend the week-long academy in July, which was held at the Florida Highway Patrol Academy just outside of Tallahassee.
The students received an inside look at a day in the life of a police recruit and the training they have to go through. Current FHP Academy instructors taught the class as the youths had the opportunity to be involved in physical training, firearms instruction, emergency vehicle operations, conducting traffic stops, and a canine demonstration.
Both Lacey and Mason said they had a great time and learned a lot about law enforcement operations. “I appreciate American Legion Post 54 for allowing our explorers to be a part of this inaugural youth program and look forward to participating again next year,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper.
American Legion Post 54 was chartered on December 19, 1919, and named in honor of Theodore H. Hernandez who was the first resident of Nassau County Florida to volunteer for service to this country in World War I.
