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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 30, 2012 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Each day they are called upon to save lives, provide security and protect property. In recent weeks, they were the first responders to the horrific train derailment in Burlington and were captured on film with their Herculean efforts in rescuing an Oakville woman pinned in her mangled SUV underneath an overturned transport truck. We know they are just a phone call away, but perhaps we do not spend enough time thinking about the job they do and giving them the praise they so deserve. From police to paramedics to firefighters, Halton's emergency personnel work tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents. Indeed, they work tirelessly to save all forms of life. Metroland Media Group photographer Riziero Vertolli was at the scene of a house fire in Oakville last week where, sadly, a pet dog succumbed to the smoke. The family can take comfort in knowing a firefighter did what she could to rouse the dog with oxygen and chest compressions. It is those moments not always noted or seen by residents. The woman rescued from underneath the massive transport was grateful to be able to meet the people key to her survival. All of the responders knew that one sudden shift of the truck could mean devastating consequences. Dan Stacey, platoon chief with the Oakville Fire Department, said it was the woman's voice that kept crews extra motivated during a "taxing" operation. "Hearing you, it made us work that much harder to get you out," he told the woman when he visited her at home. A tow-truck operator was also integral to the rescue. Running on adrenalin, he was among those responsible for ensuring the tractor-trailer was lifted safely. Just seeing emergency vehicles is often reassurance enough for people in crisis. However, in a such a complex rescue, the police, fire and paramedics reached out both verbally and with the touch of a comforting hand. Those same sets of caring hands were part of the mammoth response during the VIA Train derailment in Burlington last month. Emergency workers from around the GTA descended on the crash site. It was a massive undertaking from start to finish. Three engineers were killed and 45 of 75 passengers injured. We can't even begin to imagine how those workers, first on the scene, deal with the devastating images of the engineers who could not be helped. Aside from their day-to-day work, our firefighters, police and paramedics are heavily involved in community events -- too many to list here. They not only make our town an enviable place in which to live, they also ensure they are building a better and stronger community for generations to come. Thank you. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Thank you Letter to the editor Remember sacrifices at Vimy Ridge April 9, 2012 will mark the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. After failed attempts by both British and French forces, a corps of brave and determined Canadian soldiers captured this strategic ridge in France, which was of great importance to the German defence. Despite the terrible price in casualties, this battle marked not only a significant Allied victory, but also the first time Canadians had fought as an independent force and not as part of the British Army. Along with other achievements during the First World War, the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped establish Canada as a key player on the world stage, earning our country a separate signature on the Versailles Peace Treaty which ended the war. As a member of The War Amps Operation Legacy, a group of committed young people who are dedicated to preserving Canada's military heritage, I would like to highlight this significant anniversary of a battle considered by many to mark Canada's birth as a nation. To commemorate the anniversary, members of Operation Legacy will be donating copies of the documentaries A Vimy Veteran Remembers and In Flanders Fields to their local libraries. These productions are part of The War Amps internationally award-winning Military Heritage Series, which tells the lesser-known Canadian stories, and are available at a cost-recovery price by calling 1-800-250-3030 or visiting www. waramps.ca. Chris Angela De Leon, 18 Operation Legacy Member, Toronto Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports or @Halton_Photog Parking issue needs dose of compassion Re: Parking in and around Oakville Hospital I originally come from Mauritius. There are four hospitals on the island and parking is free. On Sundays, when the parking lots are full during visiting hours, people who live on the perimeter of the hospital invite those who cannot find parking, to park in their driveways so they can visit relatives in the hospital. Mr. Mayor and members of Town Council, show compassion, please remove the No Parking signs around the hospital perimeter. Eric S. Appadoo, Oakville BY STEVE NEASE neasecartoons@gmail.com Pud