The hours of interviews it has been my pleasure to conduct during the past several weeks has been a window in even more aspects of what makes this area so special. The openness and willingness of those with whom I spoke to discuss topics that cause them emotional pain touched me deeply. I can only hope that talking about this incident helped them to work through some of their feelings.

The noble men and women who give so freed of themselves as volunteer rescue workers and fire fighters along with those whose professional lives are devoted to the same causes, should make us all proud to live here. It is gratifying to know that there are moments we can forget about Lexington, Buena Vista or Rockbridge Country and just reflect on that amazing "us" we compose. I would encourage you to go out of your way to say "thank you" to a rescue or fire volunteer, whether you needed their services or not.

How much longer we will be blessed by such volunteer services is another question deserving thorough study. For now, we are so blessed by their collective presence as were all those involved in this tragic highway accident.

Special thanks go to those who put up with me for the hours of interviews behind these stories. My greatest fear at this very moment is that l will omit some deserving soul. If l do, forgive me, I'll make it up to you.

Heartfelt thanks to. Ronnie Slough of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad; Damon Woody of the Glasgow Rescue Squad: Tom Raisbeck of the Natural Bridge Volunteer Fire Department; Chad Conner and Robert Foresman of the Lexington Fire Department; Theresa Moore, Becky Moore and Brad Zollman of the Lexington Life Saving and First Aid Crew; Beverly Fetig and Dr. Tony Schmeig of Stonewall Jackson Hospital; Steve Reese, Heather Pelter and Mary Wood of Central Dispatch; Bobby Berkstresser, owner of Lee Hi Travel Plaza; Larry Moore, owner of Moore's Wrecker Service; Troopers M.E. Hamilton, P.C. Gardner, and G.N. Hartley of the Virginia State Police; Bob deMaria of the Washington and Lee University School of Journalism; and a very special thank you to Trent Roberts of Patient Transport Systems.

—Doug Chase