To the Editor:

On April 16, 2012, my husband and I left our home on Meherrin Road to travel to Amelia, Va., to visit extended family after the death of our daughter-in-law’s father.

We had only traveled as far as Courtland when we received a call that our garage was on fire. The garage housed our home business, Unique Embroidery, as well as my husband’s woodworking shop.

We arrived at our home to find the garage completely gone and fire departments from Boykins, Branchville, Courtland and Newsoms working very hard to contain the flames and save our home.

Thanks to these hardworking men and women, our home was saved, and we will never forget how hard they worked to make sure the flames were out before they left. We feel very blessed to have these departments and will always feel indebted to this dedicated group of individuals.

Thanks also to our neighbors Sandra Cook, Clyde Kitchen, Wayne Cooke, Cricket Nurney and an unknown stranger who stopped when he saw the flames. Without the help of all these people, this situation could have been much worse.

Thanks to all. We will never forget your help and hope we can pay it forward to someone else who needs help along life’s journey.

Marilyn and Tommy Crowder
Courtland