I was in the Kona Apartment fire in 1997. I was trapped on the fourth floor. Four of my neighbors had already died. I was on my knees praying, “God, am I going to die, like Vern did?”

I was very glad to see a ladder from the Navy Northwest Fire Department that rescued me. The roof collapsed when I was out of harm’s way. I left all my worldly goods behind in the fire.

I am a fireman’s widow since Jan. 24, 1964. My husband, Vernon K. Fletcher, was 36 years old and had two little boys, 2 and 8 years old. He died from the acrid smoke coming from the fire station at the municipal airport as it burned. The fire station now bears his name. He was honored by the dignitaries in Bremerton.

Firemen take chances with their own lives to save yours. Mr. Mann, you may have plenty of insurance to cover any losses you may receive. When your house is on fire, do you telephone your insurance company? No. You telephone the fire department. Firemen make dangerous decisions to save lives.

Dorothy J. Fletcher

Port Orchard, WA