Three volunteer firefighters from Fort Pierre and one from Britton got to come home from Colorado a week early, but not before helping fight two different wildfires….. and making the day of one young boy.
Fort Pierre firefighters Tye Odden (Assistant Chief), Trey Stroup and Michael Hagman along with Tyler Cape of the North Marshall Fire Department in Britton, SD, were initially dispatched to help at the Plumtaw Fire in the southwestern part of Colorado. They were then redirected to provide assistance at the nearby Perins Peak Fire, at Durango, not far from the Colorado-New Mexico state border.
While taking a quick break to eat at a local restaurant, the firefighters took a few moments to visit with a couple who had their 5-year-old grandson with them. In a thank you letter printed in “The Durango Herald” newspaper, Larry Konz shared that one firefighter told them he had a son at home about the same age. The firefighter– who asked that he not be singled out and mentioned by name– then ripped his Fort Pierre Volunteer Fire Department badge off his shirt and gave it to the young boy.
The thank you was printed in the May 28, 2022, edition of “The Durango Herald.” Opinion Editor Ann Marie Swan told DRG Media Group after reading the letter, she was “moved and chose to publish it sooner rather than later.” Swan kindly gave DRG Media Group permission to use a screenshot image of the letter to share with our listeners and readers.
This screenshot image is used with permission from “The Durango Herald” Opinion Editor Ann Marie Swan. Much thanks to her for allowing DRG Media Group to share it.
Photo credit Fort Pierre Volunteer Fire Department.
