Inspirational heroes

Three "heroes" in my life have died within the past week and were residents of our wonderful Flathead Valley. They were the perfect example of what we should be in our brief existence on earth.

The obituaries published in the July 10th issue of the Daily Interlake included the names of two of the finest members of our small Bigfork community. Joe Nelson was three days short of his 95th birthday but he is a legend for society to bear witness as a volunteer in a small community with 39 years dedicated to the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department. He was a friend to everyone he met. When I proposed to start the first QRU unit in Flathead Valley, Joe gave me full support for a facility, communications and later as a transporting service to our community. He was a volunteer "hero" to me personally. I will miss the smile I saw in his eyes, the friendship and warmth of his handshake and the many memories of fire and EMS calls.

Also listed in the obituary was Hamden "Ham" Forkner. I had the honor of providing emergency care to "Ham" on several occasions and on his last ambulance ride to the hospital. I am very sentimental about all our war veterans, especially those of WWII. Ham was a bomber pilot shot down over Europe and he and his crew were hidden by the Dutch resistance for 14 months until liberation. He was my "hero" as all service men and women are to me. His academic and business achievements were all part of a very, very fine man.

A third member of our Flathead Valley that died this past week was Ann Thomas, age 100, a resident of Immanuel Lutheran Home. Ann was a "mom" to many and I was honored to be included in her family as a "son." I first met her when I moved to Columbia Falls in 1948 at the age of 10. She was an inspiration to everyone in her presence. Not only was she a "mom" in my childhood and adult life, she introduced me to the "3 L's", i.e., Lefse, Lutefisk and Lutheranism. She will by missed by her family and friends. If we lived life by her example, we would all be better parents, friends and citizens of our country.

Bigfork, the Flathead Valley and America are better places to live, work and worship because of these three deceased people. I will never forget.

Doug Smith

Rainwater collection

In Western Montana we tend to take the existence of water, and our access to it, for granted. We are extremely fortunate to live near one of the cleanest fresh water lakes in the country, and we must take every precaution possible to preserve the quality of Flathead Lake and the waters that flow into it. Unfortunately, the growth resulting from the attraction to the attributes of Flathead Lake and the surrounding area prove to be the greatest reason for careful planning.

As new neighborhoods are created, more thought needs to be given to community water and sewer systems. When dealing with effluent in sensitive areas, there are any number of modern alternatives that have less negative effect on the aquifer that should be considered.

As the cost of our energy continues to increase, we may be wise to learn about alternate ways of obtaining water for various purposes. Harvesting rainwater can prove to be a very good way to economize. There are many other side benefits to be realized by utilizing this process. On the 23 of July, at 7 p.m., the Essential Stuff Project (ESP) will host a gathering at Clementine's in Bigfork where Bill Brenner will discuss his water system, which utilizes rain water.

Edd Blackler

Bigfork

Please save our foxes

I was so sorry to hear of yet another beautiful little fox found dead, tail removed. I have missed having these happy, friendly little animals come trotting by as I sit on the deck reading or watching them scamper across the road sometimes carrying a rabbit home to the kits. One used to sit and watch with curiosity as our neighbor worked in his garden. That one was later found dead on the golf course with a bullet hole it its head.

I haven't seen the foxes for a long time. There used to be the traditional red one with black feet, and also a beautiful all gold colored one. And then there was the rangy calico guy of questionable ancestry as he looked suspiciously like a cross with a coyote. Strange. My cat, claws intact, extended and hissing, chased him down the driveway and over the bank. The foxes apparently respected the cats which have lived to a ripe old age in our neighborhood. I miss those dainty little foxes.with the pointy noses. Are they gone? We are accustomed to enjoying our pet dogs and cats, each with its own interesting personality. Wild animals are the same and are fun to watch and get to know in their uniqueness.

Montana provides the opportunity to share our lives with these wild residents and to learn to admire and respect them. It is part of what makes our neighborhood special and different from heavily populated concrete cities. We hope that some day more foxes will join us. They are friendly, non-destructive creatures that seem to enjoy being around people. We hope that the residents in our community will learn to treat them with respect and appreciation and cease using them unnecessarily for target practice simply for sport and trophies. What a cruel needless waste and loss of enjoyment for the rest of us in the community to say nothing of the foxes and their kids.

Clarice Ryan

Bigfork