Sisters thanks firefighters

Firefighters got cards -- and toiletries and treats -- from a grateful Sisters community.

It was community appreciation night last Friday at the fire camp set up around Sisters High School. Small tents were pitched on the grass in all directions as far as one could see.

About 40 local citizens gathered with toiletries, baked goodies, clothing, and other treats for firefighters fighting the Cache Mountain fire. Tables were set up in front of the High School welcoming the firefighters and displaying many needed items for their use.

As buses returned firefighters to camp, children held welcoming signs and greeted the weary crews. Residents and children chatted with firefighters and asked where they were from, told them about Sisters and offered a warm welcome to the heroic crews.

"I've worked on these fires for 30 years," said Scott Braytan, Fire Information Officer, "and haven't seen this kind of community support before. This is why I do it."

This was the third night that community members turned out to greet firefighters. There was another rally on Thursday night and on Wednesday the local folk and bluegrass band Big Eddy performed for the firefighers at their camp.

There was a table of post card picture souvenirs for the firefighters to view and take with them as memories of the place they had worked so hard to protect.

While sentiment was important, the Friday rally had a pragmatic purpose.

"This was community appreciation night in the practical realm," said Alison Tenneson as firefighters gathered toothpaste, throat drops, socks, underwear, cotton swabs, bottled water and other items for their use.

Local community people also gathered bags of coffee beans and other food items for these valiant folks.

"This was a whole community effort by folks wanting to do something for the firefighters," said Michelle Ehr.