Dear Editor:
I am a long time San Benito County resident. Something happened a couple of nights ago, prompting me to write this letter in regard to the recent events involving our great nation.
I would like to share this letter with you and our fellow readers.
On March 24, a friend and I were driving eastbound on Fourth Street returning from San Juan Bautista. We were passing Fremont School, my third and fourth grade alma mater, when a local fire engine, red lights flashing, siren roaring, raced passed us headed in the opposite direction.
Over and above the red lights and the ear-deafening siren, I couldn’t help but notice there were red white and blue flags waving proudly atop that shinny red fire engine.
Here were brave Americans maybe heading to your burning home. Maybe heading to a wreck in which a family member or friend was involved in. These were brave Americans ready to risk their lives for fellow Americans.
There are brave Americans in Iraq right now risking their lives for their fellow Americans – risking their lives for my children, my family, my friends and myself.
Risking their lives for the freedom we now have. The freedom of living without the fear of inhumanly attacks against us or anyone else.
We are in a time of need now. A time to come together as Americans, as we did after 9/11, to be there for the ones who are risking their lives for us. To be there for their families, for their friends, for our fellow Americans.
Let us not forget, these brave men and women chose these jobs with the knowledge that one day their own lives may be in jeopardy so fellow Americans could be safe and live in peace. Let us not forget these brave individuals are doing what they do for us, Americans.
For the fire engine crew flying those flags and our troops overseas, I commend you. You make me proud to be an American. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Brian Bettencourt
Hollister
