The Lake Helen City Commission on May 8 recognized four national observances with formal proclamations, joining communities across the country in acknowledging the significance of Pride Month, Mental Health Month, Juneteenth and Poppy Day. All five commissioners — Mayor Vernon J. Burton, Vice Mayor Roger Eckert, and Commissioners Heather Rutledge, Charlene Bishop and Lynda Donato — were present for the ceremonial readings held at Hopkins Hall.
Former Vice Mayor and lifelong Lake Helen resident Lewis Long offered the opening prayer.
“Help us now to be sure that whenever we break down the barriers that separate us from others and promote human unity in the midst of cultural diversity, that you always have a hand in it,” he said.
The Pride Month proclamation acknowledged the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and contributions, and referenced the 1969 Stonewall Riots as a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights.
“Let us come together in unity, support, and celebration of love in all its forms,” the proclamation read.
The Mental Health Month resolution highlighted the importance of access to services, reducing stigma and promoting early intervention. “Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being,” the document stated.
Juneteenth was also formally recognized as a milestone in American history. The proclamation explained that on June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Lake Helen’s proclamation described Juneteenth as “a time for celebrating freedom and encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.”
The final proclamation of the evening declared May 24 as Poppy Day, a tribute to fallen U.S. service members. The red poppy was recognized as a national symbol of remembrance, and the proclamation encouraged citizens to wear poppies in honor of those who served.
The proclamations were adopted without objection.
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