craigdailypress.com

To the editor:

Just a note to say a few positive words about a quiet and small operation in Moffat County that rates bigger than the county it serves.

On June 13, while hiking in an extremely remote area in Northwest Colorado, a rock face I was climbing across sheared off, resulting in my left leg being broken badly in a very isolated canyon.

With limited cell phone service, I was able to call for the Moffat County Search and Rescue team, and after nearly six hours in that canyon, the SAR team showed up in great strength.

Without the ability to use horses or all-terrain vehicles because of the location, they called for a rescue helicopter and medevaced me to Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs.

As I sit and reflect back on that day, I was so thankful that these men gave of their time (12 hours) for my well-being as well as all of Moffat County's residents.

They were of the utmost professionals, and in a time of severe pain, they kept the situation at hand under control without prejudice to their own needs.

The 25 cents we pay for SAR at the time we buy our hunting and fishing licenses could never pay for their effort, but their reward will be great one day.

Moffat County residents can rest at ease while in the backcountry of this county because of the Search and Rescue team's efforts and hard work.

Thank you for all you do:

Barry Barnes

Doug Vaughn

Dale Clark

Bhrent Shock

Josh Martinez

Dave McGhee

Mike Mercer

Dave Hillberry

Todd Wheeler

Richard Nichols

John Simons

Colorado State Patrol Dispatch

Best regards,

Thomas Penner