Letter To The Editor – Thanks For Being There

Dear Editor,
While driving on Route 22 from Berlin to Bennington on Saturday afternoon, the last day of 2011, I came to North Petersburgh and saw the troubling sight of fire engines and emergency vehicles. Driving past the scene, I saw that a residence had been ravaged by fire.
I went slowly past, hoping those whose home had been damaged would themselves be safe. On my left, walking along the road, perhaps heading to his home nearby, was a fireman, weary and sweaty, carrying his helmet and gear.
I slowed and called to him: “Is everybody okay?”
He smiled, saying, “Perfect.”
And then he said: “Thanks for asking.”
I drove on, soon realizing that he had just thanked me, when I was the one who should have thanked him – him and all the volunteers, firefighters, their auxiliaries and the emergency squads – thanked them for what they had done that day and for what they do on so many days throughout the year.
By then it was too late to say anything to him, however. I was too far down the road to stop and say what I should have said right away.
So, for all of us who want to say it to all of them – thank you for being there when we need you most.
Stuart Murray
269 Green Hollow Road, Berlin