(Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to the Hicksville Fire District. It is printed here at the writer's request.)

After receiving the latest district newsletter we felt compelled to write and let you know how proud we are of all the men and women in the Hicksville Fire District and Department that work so hard for all of us all the time.

It is so reassuring to know we have volunteers ready and willing to come to our aid, risking their lives, leaving the safety of their homes to help others. We thank them all and I hope you'll pass this along to the proper parties.

Special congratulations to Commissioner Pat Scanlon for his Bronze Medal of Valor award. Why are we not surprised? Too bad so many people take these things for granted.

We were both born and have lived in Hicksville all our lives so we know that Hicksville has so many things to boast about and we're very glad that the Hicksville Fire District and Department is one of them!

Michael and Valerie Pakaluk

(Valerie Pakaluk is past president of the Hicksville Community Council)