Woman gives Vacaville firefighters a special thanks
Katie Utehs/KTVU.com
VACAVILLE, Calif. —
Tri-tip steak, corn, watermelon; all ingredients for a Memorial Day BBQ left behind at Costco by a group of Vacaville firefighters on Saturday.
While shopping the crew received a medical emergency call and they left the store immediately. They returned a half an hour later to discover someone had already purchased their cart full of $123.25 worth of food.
“The note said ‘thank you firefighters for all you do have a good day’ and it was signed by an Air Force wife,” said Battalion Chief Jeff Ryder, Vacaville Fire Department.
Perhaps she was moved by the camouflage and American flag decorated shirts firefighters have been wearing in honor of the men and women who've sacrificed for our country.
“I think they are wonderful guys they do a great job. They’re great guys,” said Rich Wood, who was shopping at Costco on Tuesday.
Wood is a veteran. He said attitudes towards the military have changed greatly since he served in Vietnam.
“It’s amazing how many people just say ‘Thank you’ and come up to you nowadays,” said Wood.
The crew at Station 74 may never know why the woman covered the bill.
“We’re hoping that that person would come by and let us thank them for it,” said Ryder.
Firefighters pay for their own meals while on duty, about $25 each per shift, but they didn't pocket the money saved. Instead they plan to pay it forward.
Later in the day on Saturday the crew purchased the Memorial Day flowers an elderly couple was trying to buy. Tuesday night they’re cooking dinner for a WWII veteran from Vacaville.
Even before the random act of kindness the department had planned a fundraiser for Travis Air Force Base’s Fisher House, which assists the families of injured soldiers while they are in the hospital. The Vacaville Firefighter’s Association will host dinner at Pietro’s #1 on 407 Cernon Street between 4-8pm Wednesday, May 28th. Half of the proceeds from the event will go to the Fisher House.
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