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This special column commemorating was written exclusively for HeadlineSurfer.com by Volusia County Chair Jason Davis, a combat-wounded veteran, who lives in Pierson.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- I thank you all for your support. When was the last time someone actually said and meant that?

Well, I will tell you, and I really do mean it.

Since my election, I have always looked to those who elected me for their opinions, and possible solutions to some of the complex discussions and issues we have had to take on.

EDGEWATER, Fla. -- This morning via emails my cousin and I were discussing what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving. At our ages we have many departed souls that we miss dearly and wish we were celebrating with here right now. But alas the older we get the less earthly relatives and friends we have and that’s sad.

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DELTONA, Fla. -- Volusia County sheriff’s deputies tracked down and arrested eight juveniles in connection with the Wednesday afternoon robbery of a pizza delivery driver in Deltona, an agency spokesman said.

Deputies responded around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday after the driver, Colton Reisner, of a local Papa John's, said he was robbed at a house at 1037 Abagail Drive.

Reisner didn’t report any weapons used in the robbery, or any money stolen. He said some of the teens snuck up and threw a blanket or sheet over his head when he knocked on the front door, then took off with pizza, chicken wings and soda. The house was vacant.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Mark I. Johnson wasn't flashy, but he was a workhorse newspaper reporter who got the job done covering the news for two print newspapers over three decades.

He also was pretty handy with a camera, often serving in both roles during a career that began in the late 1980s as a reporter for the New Smyrna Beach Observer and then for the Daytona Beach News-Journal until late last year when he became one of the casualties of continuing layoffs at the former metro.

While Johnson wasn't flashy reporter, a journalist of few words, he knew how to work the flash with his camera, often handling photo assignments for the main newspaper while working out of the the News-Journal's Canal Street bureau where he also filed stories for the regional section, the Daily Journal.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Retired homicide cop Bob Walker has never really gotten along with temperamental Daytona Beach Police Chief Michael Chitwood.

Walker, Teamsters 385 business agent, had actually returned to the DBPD several years back to help out with homicide cold cases, but was it wasn't long before he banned from the cop shop by Chitwood with the exception of his union rep. duties.

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Back in the 2012 election cycle, Jim Hathaway needed a strong endorsement while locked in a three-way primary battle for the district 3 seat on the County Council. So he called on environmentalist Barbara Herrin, a one-time candidate for the seat herself.