Editor, It is 5 a.m. and I have had the luxury of four hours of sleep. As I look out my window, I see smoke all around my neighborhood and the reality of the past 14 hours fills my thoughts. I keep thinking of two small words — thank you. I’m sure residents of Smiley Cross, Wilderness and Jake Lucas roads and all other affected areas also are repeating those words. 
To the firefighters of Long County/Ludowici, Hinesville, Gum Branch, Bryan County, Midway, Anderson Village, McIntosh County, Georgia Forestry Department, Department of Corrections, the sheriff’s office, police departments, GSP, and any others I may have missed, thank you. 
As a resident of this area, I witnessed the long hours the responders put in Friday to fight the fires. They worked to extinguish and contain the blaze as it approached homes — a huge task. Throughout the ordeal, these professionals displayed teamwork, leadership and camaraderie that words cannot begin to express. On behalf of all the Smiley Road area residents, I want to express our gratitude. 
To our neighbors and the stranger who stopped to help, using garden hoses and tools to control the fire moving around nearby homes while the fire department was en route, thank you! 

— Gloria Sweet
Ludowici