Letters to the editor Aug. 31

A dangerous job

The Aug. 27 opinion article by Mr. McNamee (Wildland firefighters need our support) was interesting and informative. He had my attention until he mentioned the salary of the firefighters, “… a mere $15 an hour.”

Has he any idea what a military enlisted person makes on an hourly basis? Today’s enlisted personal, with six months of experience, makes about $13.50 per hour. They are fed, as a firefighter is, they are provided with a bed, as a firefighter is, they have health care, as a firefighter does.

Is the military job as dangerous as a firefighters? The military would love to have an injury/death rate as low as the firefighters have.

Do the military personnel work long days and long months? Ask any service member who is assigned to a Naval ship, or a soldier stationed in Korea, or an airman working at an airbase in the Middle East. Six and seven day weeks are a norm, not an exception.

We have, as Americans, lots to be thankful about. Not the least is the young men and women who are willing to sacrifice as service members and wild land firefighters.

If you are inclined to pray, I urge you to keep these people in your prayers .

— Dale B. Heldstab, Columbia Falls