Dear Editor:

To Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor:

Two plus decades ago, I left New Jersey for Boothbay. I was drawn here by the ocean, the size of the town and proximity to the necessities (groceries, airport, medical services and tradespeople). Most of all by the people. I had heard Mainers were slow to accept folks from away. I found the opposite. I love that I am on a first name basis with so many people from every walk of life.

What I did not appreciate back then was that behind the pleasant appearance and convenience of this lovely community lay a well-trained and sophisticated team of volunteer and professional people who could in minutes be summoned from their dinner, bed or job to save a life.

I learned that last Friday evening when I was trapped upside down beneath my car on Back Narrows Road. Had a Good Samaritan witness not heard the accident and called for help and had this amazing rescue team not been on the scene within minutes, I might well not be alive.

So I wish to recognize and thank everyone who was on and behind the scene Friday night, and every night. That includes in order of appearance:

Boothbay Fire Department; Boothbay Region Ambulance Service; Lincoln County Sheriff's Office; Boothbay Harbor Fire Department; LifeFlight of Maine.

In particular a special thanks to Boothbay Fire Department Chief, David Pratt who was first on the scene and orchestrated the rescue.

I am thankful for all of you with every breath I draw today.

Appreciatively yours,

Ray Egan

Boothbay