Not once, but twice a day, every day since Camp Vernon was established, some dedicated residents have been showing up to do what they can to show their appreciation.
Residents like Mackenzie and Theresa Rawlins and Deborah Bouwmeester, who you can usually catch in the morning and again in the evening, seated outside the entrance to the camp every single day.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e covered in soot from head to toe and they are absolutely deflated,鈥� Bouwmeester said. 鈥淭hey are so tired, they are just wiped. It stirs our hearts, we just want to let them know that we care.鈥�
The staple cheering squad is usually joined by numerous other people, young and old, as they wave pom poms, clap and hold signs of gratitude up as the firefighters return 鈥榟ome鈥� from the field, and when they head out. This group is just one of others. Another group of cheerleaders situated on Old Kamloops Road does the same.
鈥淥ne man had to call his wife, because he said it meant so much to him that we鈥檙e always here cheering them on. It makes us feel so good knowing that it means so much,鈥� said Mackenzie, who comes with her mom in the evenings.
It鈥檚 their way of showing thanks, for all the crews are doing to keep them safe.
鈥淛ust know that we鈥檙e here , we鈥檙e cheering you on and we鈥檙e thinking about when you鈥檙e not here,鈥� Theresa said.
They鈥檝e even been making blue and red ribbons to give to the firefighters, other supports and close friends and family.
A main reason they started coming out was because the amount of negativity on social media and in the community after the fire destroyed a number of homes in the Monte Lake area.
鈥淭hese guys and their faces they just looked so defeated. But it鈥檚 not them, they鈥檙e doing their job and people were just so, so mean,鈥� Theresa said, choking back tears.
READ MORE: B.C. premier, forests minister tour White Rock Lake fire near Vernon
READ MORE: Burn postponed again on White Rock Lake wildfire
@VernonNews
jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
