Editor,

My wife and I were pleased to read your recent 15-page section, “Salute to Firefighters.”

Firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel, and the often-heroic services they provide on a daily basis are frequently overlooked and taken for granted by many.

We have had the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue at our home twice in the past two years. One time, which no doubt saved my life in 2014, I had a pulmonary embolism. After being “stabilized,” responders asked if I wanted to go the hospital, and I replied “no” since I felt better. It was then my close personal friend, Steve Lacy, one of the initial responders, who overruled me and said “yes, he does.” No doubt this saved my life as I was ultimately transferred to Skagit Valley Hospital where the embolism was detected and treated, and I was released nine days later.

It should be noted that Lacy, a captain with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, was off duty at the time and is a volunteer, as are 85 of those 88 personnel pictured in the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue section. Among those 88 is Lacy’s grandson, Chris Lacy. It would be well to note that Lacy’s son, John, is a firefighter at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and his other son, David, is a firefighter/paramedic with Snohomish Fire.

Thanks to you firefighters one and all. You are greatly appreciated.

Fred Stilwell

Oak Harbor