To the Editor:

Today, I witnessed one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I was walking home during the incredible wind storm when I came across a large tree branch that had brought down what appeared to be a power line connected to a house near mine.

Concerned, I called the Potsdam Police and the volunteer fire department. I watched with amazement as they responded in less than 10 minutes both with squad cars and the whole brigade of fire fighting equipment.

They determined that it was just a cable line that didn’t carry power. Ten minutes later, our village workers brought a tractor and cleaned it so well that almost no remnant of the mess remained.

I watched with increasing pride in our community services as both the phone company and cable company came within 10 minutes to restore the cable to the home in front of which all this happened.

Afterward, I considered the possibility that the cable was restored to that house without the family who lived there even knowing about it.

In these difficult times in which we live, it makes me think how important it is to remember that events like this happen every single day; that in times of crisis, even potential crisis, we pull together as a community; that we live in one of the most peaceful towns in America; and that, vilify it if you will, we are still the greatest nation on earth.

I want our emergency services to know that I saw you, that I respect you, especially our brave people in blue uniforms, because that blue runs very deep, almost black, and fortunately most of us never have to see the red.

In loving memory of Michelle Lalonde. Lest we forget. I know I never will.

Gabriel Anderson

Potsdam