During this holiday season, I am thankful for the gift of all our frontline workers and firefighters who fought to protect us during the worst wildfire season in Colorado history and the worst pandemic in more than a hundred years.

Some members of our community spontaneously pitched in to help save lives, without formally signing up. You risked your lives to save people, homes, community and wildlife. You knocked on doors with embers falling around you to make sure people were safely evacuated. You worked in 100 mph winds, as fires raced up the mountain, even into the tundra.

On Oct. 21, after that fire explosion shot the smoke and embers up 40,000 feet, you rushed in wherever you were needed and kept on fighting. Some of you firefighters found out you had lost your own homes in the destruction, yet kept pushing further into the danger zones — wherever you were most needed.

It takes a special person to be a firefighter. Few of us can imagine the level of bravery required. But we can say, Thank You, Thank You.

You heroes are the reason for our safety and for our ability to sleep at night. For bringing us hope to replace our nightmarish memories escaping towering flames racing over foothills, we are profoundly grateful to you. Those whose properties survived the fire are fortunate to be in a position to help our neighbors who lost their homes. It was uplifting to see the Winter Park and Fraser Chamber of Commerce honor the leaders of the East Grand Fire Department as 2020 Citizens of the Year. Many more who are not named are also heroes. Merry Christmas, Harmonious Holidays and Here’s to a Happy New Year.

— Lynnea Godfriaux, Grand Lake