The volunteers in your community serve you every day, 24/7. They do not ask for tax exemptions or get a 10 percent discount everywhere.
I have been a volunteer firefighter for almost 50 years, and I also thank the veterans for their service. My father, brother and son all served in wartime and are veterans.
Why does a veteran’s service mean more than a volunteer’s service? The volunteers go out, rain or shine, in hot or frigid temperatures, day or night and on holidays. This past Thanksgiving, many volunteers awoke in the middle of the night and served their community fighting a fire in Saratoga. How many millions of dollars do volunteers save a community?
If you had to pay for fire and ambulance service, each town would have to raise taxes to pay for them. We all serve our communities in many ways. Is any service more or less important?
Maybe if you see a volunteer firefighter or first responder, you should thank them.
Join your local fire department to help or be a volunteer and serve your community.
Eric Utermark
Charlton
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