Remember the firefighters

We should never forget the brave and selfless service of firefighters who put their lives on the line to serve and protect their fellow citizens, whether it’s in the smallest of communities or the biggest of cities.

Retired New York City firefighter Kevin Shea’s experiences of responding to both the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, which were recounted in the Inter Lake’s Sept. 11 issue, are a reminder of how much was sacrificed, how much was lost in those terrorist bombings.

Shea’s work as a member of the elite Rescue Company No. 1 in the heart of New York City was a risky job, but he willingly went into all kinds of dangerous situations, dangling from skyscrapers on occasion to save fire victims.

With another 9/11 anniversary still fresh in our minds, this is an especially good time of year to thank our own firefighters, many of whom volunteer their time across the Flathead Valley. Every one of them deserves our deepest thanks and respect.

WITH THE re-opening of schools this month and the return of colder weather, it is the season to get educated about communicable diseases — and to get vaccinated if you aren’t already.

We know that lots of people in our community don’t trust vaccinations, but from our research, we think they are sadly mistaken when they try to scare parents out of getting their children vaccinated.

Sure, there have been occasional miscues with certain vaccines that have either been over-hyped or under-tested, but the vast majority of vaccines do just what they are supposed to do — prevent illness.  

Despite the complaints of skeptics, vaccination remains the most practical and scientific way to combat a variety of contagious illnesses. We encourage all our readers to consult with their physicians or the health department about what vaccinations are recommended for children and for adults.

Better safe than sorry.

WITHOUT A HITCH. That’s how the first-ever Montana Dragon Boat Festival came off last weekend.

And there were plenty of potential hitches to be had, with thousands of paddlers and spectators gathered on land and water at Flathead Lake Lodge. For starters, the weather could have been a big problem, but it was a beautiful day.

Lodge owner Doug Averill marveled at how clean the property was after the all-day event. Out-of-area participants marveled at the venue and Flathead Lake itself, some of them vowing to bring more teams next year.

And that is the best part of all — the festival has put itself in a position to be a highly popular annual event, possibly even a two-day event by next year. Congratulations to all involved!