Base patch at ‘heart’ of Pensacola

The red-and-white "NAS Pensacola" heart-patch design that's has made its way into social media are being pressed and worn by local military, first responders and citizens all across the region. Wings & Things Monogramming owner Larry Speed has teamed with NAS Pensacola to produce embroidered patches at the request of a Navy ensign following last week’s deadly shooting on based that killed three sailors and injured eight others. "It is the thing that I can do to help out," Speed told the Pensacola News Journal. "I make patches, I can produce the patches immediately, and these are already out there ready to be worn." Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Media Director Robbie Harvey came up with the graphic design of which a version of it made its way onto the city’s so-called Graffiti Bridge. "NAS Pensacola gave me a call … and said they wanted to create a patch off of the design … and put it on the flight suits out there at NAS," Harvey said. "Of course, I'm not going to say no to that. I told them absolutely." The patch has "NAS Pensacola" embroidered inside a white heart with the words 'We Have The Watch" - a longtime Navy slogan generally used at retirement ceremonies - printed above it. The date of the shooting is printed below the heart. Harvey said he was humbled when two ensign flight students came to him to show him the patches they had created based on his design. They were part of the squadron that was attacked. Harvey said those ensigns told him that Navy bases throughout the country are ordering them. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 12/12/19) https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2019/12/12/nas-pensacola-patches-being-produced-aviators-first-responders/4413549002/