Deputies Jose Rivera and Ethan Thomas stand with Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Quanita May stands in front of over 200 flags at Veterans Plaza in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Deputy Ethan Thomas and his wife, Carli, stand in front of the sea of flags after Deputy Thomas was honored as a hero at the opening ceremony. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
One of the Rotary Club’s heroes, Deputy Jose Rivera, embraces his wife, Elyza Rivera, while his proud children, Josiyah, Ariyas, and Valentina circle around their dad. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Deputy Jose Rivera stands at attention in front of the flags at Veteran's Plaza in Daytona beach. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Deputies Jose Rivera and Ethan Thomas stand with Sheriff Mike Chitwood and city and county officials at the Flag for Heroes ceremony. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Heroes Bill and Diane Griffin look at flags in Veterans Plaza in Daytona Beach. Flags will be taken down on Monday, July 6. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Flags for Heroes flags will fly until July 6 at Veterans Plaza in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
Joelle and Beatrice Kayinamura stand with their father and husband, Yohani, for his special day of being honored with a flag as a hero at the Veterans Plaza in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
The color guard stands ready to present the colors at the Flags for Heroes ceremony. Photo by Rachel and Abe Mills
The Rotary Club of Daytona Beach West placed more than 200 flags in Veterans Plaza in Daytona Beach on Saturday, June 27, in honor of local heroes, including two Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputies.
Flags for Heroes started in 2020 as a way to serve the community, raise funds, and honor the everyday heroes in the community by placing flags. This year, there are 200 flags and 200 stories at Veterans Plaza, located at 155 N. Beach St. Volusia County Deputy Ethan Thomas and Deputy Jose Rivera were both highlighted at the opening ceremony.
In 2024, Thomas was shot in the face during a standoff in Deltona.
“When you see a gun go off in front of your face, you don’t think you’re ever gonna come out of it,” Thomas said. “By the grace of God, everything happens for a reason. I was grateful to come out of there.”
After recovery, when Thomas returned to VSO, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood gave Thomas a choice of where he wanted to work. Thomas chose the Crime Suppression unit, which is focused on preventing crime in high-risk areas.
“He’s probably one of the strongest people I’ve ever met,” said Carli Thomas, his wife. The couple were married three weeks ago.
Rivera was shot three times while on a vandalism call earlier this year.
“The suspect comes out, opens fire, and then chases Deputy Rivera down the driveway, and they engage in a gun battle,” Chitwood said.
Rivera was hit by a bullet in the leg, the shoulder, and the chest which was stopped by his body cam.
“I wouldn’t take every day for granted," Rivera said. "You never know when it’s your last. Get out there and do the best that you can. My driving force is my family.”
Chitwood, who was there to honor and support his two deputies, was asked if he considers himself a hero.
“No," he said. "I am blessed to work with a group of heroes and lead them, but their work is far more important than mine. If I had sons, I would want them to be like these two men are.”
The event was attended by local officials, including City Commissioner Quanita May, who said that she is filled with gratitude when she thinks of what the flags mean.
“When I see these flags, they represent the service, honor, commitment, community, and sacrifice of all those who are past, present, and those to come still," May said.
Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhart, who represents District 2, also spoke at the event.
“We’re here today to honor heroes," he said. "Heroes without capes.They wear badges We appreciate you. We pray for you. You are truly heroes."
One of the 200 stories behind the flags is Rotary Club member, Dr. Yohani Kayinamura. He started a nonprofit organization to help homeless youth in his native country of Rwanda. The Umuryango Children’s Network has partnered with the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach West and other organizations to build a school which now has around 400 students. Kayinamura travels to Rwanda regularly to oversee operations.
“When they are homeless, we put them in schools, we feed them, we clothe them,” Kayinamura said. “We help them start their own families and then they get an independent lifestyle and become mature, responsible citizens.”
The flags will fly in Veterans Plaza until Monday, July 6. To nominate a hero or make a donation to Flags for Heroes, visit www.daytonabeachwestrotary.org.
