Ford has unique place in history

We agree with President Bush's assessment of former President Gerald Ford's contributions to our country: "Gerald Ford came along when we needed him most."

Ford's death on Tuesday at age 93 has been a springboard this week for reflections on the legacy left by our 38th president.

He was sworn into office on Aug. 9, 1974, in the wake of President Nixon's downfall and the Watergate scandal. The country was a mess economically and confidence in the White House had been shattered.

As Bush stated, it was a nation that needed healing and an office that needed a calm and steady hand, and Ford provided the integrity we needed at the time.

Though he never sought the limelight of the presidency, Ford assured the country he would not shirk his responsibility. With a solid set of values, common sense and quiet dignity, he served, never backing away from the tough decisions. He stayed the course and our country was better for it.

Ford was a gentleman, a statesman and a leader. Aspiring politicians could learn a thing or two by studying his legacy. We need more of Ford's kind in American politics today.

CRESTON FIREFIGHTERS made Christmas extra special for one area family when they rescued a black Labrador that fell through the ice on Flathead River on Christmas Day.

Fourteen members of the volunteer force responded within a few minutes to help with the rescue. Using a special sled purchased just a year ago for such ice rescues, they brought the dog to safety. Then a county Animal Control officer stepped in to track down the dog's owners.

It's not unusual for our emergency-services workers to go above and beyond the call of duty, but such response at midday on a holiday, when many families likely were just sitting down to a fine Christmas meal, should be commended.

Neither rain, nor snow, nor the timing of a holiday, apparently, can prevent our local mail couriers from the completion of their appointed rounds.

When Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday this year, it didn't mean that those last-minute gifts would wait for a regular work day to be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

Indeed, Postal Service workers across the Flathead Valley came to work on Christmas Eve to make sure packages were delivered on time.

The Whitefish postal crew, for example, delivered 194 packages on Christmas Eve. The Columbia Falls Post Office was open Sunday for people to pick up packages. And four or five carriers made deliveries in Kalispell the day before Christmas.

Part of the reason for the extra holiday duty was the Denver blizzard that jammed up the mail delivery system.

The other part may have been just the holiday spirit on the part of postal workers.

And their efforts no doubt led to a lot of holiday smiles for the recipients of their special deliveries.