A readers salute to the heroes of the pandemic

I would like to give a shout out of thanks to the employees of Trader Joe's in Glen Ellyn. It is one place I feel safe shopping!

Nancy L Reagan, Glen Ellyn

I'd like to give a shout out to Rolling Meadows Fire Department. Before passing in 2018, we needed to call 911 twice for my father. The RMFD arrived quickly and they were professional, respectful, gentle and kind, even stopping in the ER to make sure Dad was all right. Thank you!

Jill Caruso Wagner, Rolling Meadows

An Ode to Our Heroes:

F or all you do I n keeping us safe. R esponding to life-threatening S ituations with T rue Courage. R acing to E very dangerous S cene to help P eople O vercome their worst fears. N o words can D escribe my E ternal gratitude and with R espect and profound thanks, I S alute you all ... Our HEROES!

Stephanie Grande, Bartlett

We want to thank all the men and women of the Mount Prospect Fire Department. All of your efforts to serve and protect our community makes us proud to be a part of our organization. Your compassion and teamwork are truly remarkable.

Deputy Chief John Dolan and Chief Brian Lambel, Mount Prospect Fire Department

As I turned to walk down the aisle in a recent supermarket visit, I encountered a store employee. With both of us wearing masks and maintaining social distance, she gave me a friendly greeting. In a world starved for human contact, it was reassuring to hear a warm voice. The kindness and helpfulness of grocery store employees doing their jobs under such stressful conditions is a reminder of the debt of gratitude that we owe them!

Andrew Turner, Libertyville

I just want to thank the Hampshire Fire And EMS services for all their help and show encouragement for all they do for the residents of Hampshire. Stay safe and again thank you.

Diane Herrmann, Hampshire

Shout out to our son Ryan and all the UPS workers that are working every day to keep us going. Hang in there, stay safe and thank you for all you do.

Roxann and Mark Renn, Des Plaines

My son works in Elk Grove for an essential manufacturing company that makes containers for beverage drinks. He's working hard so that the other HEROES can sit and relax with a cold drink when their shift is done. Let's say thank you to all HEROES that are on the line of defense against this terrible menace.

Judie Robison, Buffalo Grove

Last May 2019, my husband spent 23 unresponsive days in the C.C.U. of N.C.H., 14 days on a ventilator. My family and I watched with awe as doctors, nurses, therapists and staff did their jobs with compassionate professionalism. That was before COVID 19, when we could visit, and give thanks in person. Gratitude and blessings to our paramedics and hospital staffs.

Gloria Helms, Palatine

Wanted to thank the wonderful Bartlett Fire Department and nurses (and staff) of 3B at Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital for the care and compassion shown to my 92-year-old mother on a recent non-Covid-19 visit to the hospital.

Keep up the good work. You are all a Godsend.

Joyce Koster, Bartlett

The medical professionals working on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus are truly the world's heroes, and they deserve to be treated as such. I applaud Gov. Pritzker for his executive order that will protect Illinois's health care professionals against lawsuits. Now, our state's doctors, nurses and first responders can make lifesaving decisions without the threat of a lawsuit influencing their choices. Right now we need to focus on making sure our Illinoisans, even our heroes, can feel a little safer.

Jennifer Anderson, Palatine

Keep up the good work Brian Fluhler LGFD, Patrick Nyczaj PFD, doctors, nurses and everyone at NCH! Thank for all you do. Stay healthy and safe. We are all in this together! We are very grateful!

Patricia Fluhler, Palatine

Dear Essential Workers: To those who save lives and those who help to keep us alive and healthy, we owe you our eternal gratitude. The bravery you exhibit every day is an amazing thing. Your dedication to the work you do is profoundly honorable and we thank you.

Barbara Lipe, Naperville

Wow! You are doing what the rest of us cannot do and we wholeheartedly appreciate you. My husband (74 years old and with a heart condition), dad (95 years old) and I are doing our level best to stay healthy and out of your way as you do your heroic work every day. Please, you stay safe and healthy, too! You will forever be our heroes.

Mary J. Hahn, Arlington Heights

I am sending this to recognize a great Groot employee in Arlington Heights who always stops to talk to my grandsons. He is so kind and thoughtful and makes my grandsons feel so special! Thank you Robert for everything you are doing for us in this uncertain time.

Sue Poletto, Mundelein

Thank you to all first responders! My husband and I are volunteers at Northwest Community Hospital although during this pandemic, the hospital has not allowed us to come in. Because of that, the doctors, nurses and staff are not only doing their own jobs, but also must do what we were doing. My thoughts and prayers go out to each one of these very important people who are working so tirelessly for us. They are true heroes!

Jan Froberg, Mount Prospect

Those who could not "stay home": I am writing to you as a wife of someone who could not stay home during a time where your enemy was unseen and deadly. My husband is dedicated Deputy Chief Peter Dyer of the Des Plaines Fire Department who immediately, along with Fire Chief Dan Anderson and EMS Chief Ed Rogers, put in place measures to ensure safety for department personnel and patients and residents they would encounter. These firefighter/paramedics were putting their lives on the line and at times sleeping in their cars or garages to distance themselves from their loved ones knowing the risks they encountered transporting someone to the hospital while ill with covid-19, or worse yet the patient who didn't yet know they were positive for the virus and may be unknowingly spreading it. From the newest hire on the Des Plaines Fire Department to the top administration, I want to commend the bravery of these firefighter/paramedics and their never-failing dedication and commitment to ensuring the greatest care for their community! Wash your hands, stay strong, stay safe and stay home.

Susan Minarczyk-Dyer, Arlington Heights

I am very thankful for Lieutenant Kelly Gitzke with Huntley Fire Department because last year I wrote a book called "Girls Can Do Anything" and I interviewed her. She definitely made an impact on my life. Thank you for everything and for being so brave Lt. Gitzke!

Maci Sarrault (9 years old), Huntley

Thank you to the Huntley Fire Department! On Christmas they came to our house when our fire alarm went off. They were so nice and funny in their elf hats.

Abby Sarrault (8 years old), Huntley

I would like to give a shout-out to the many essential workers behind the scenes in Illinois laboratories. They report out COVID-19 results as well as thousands of other lab tests daily which provide crucial information to aid physicians in the care of critically ill patients.

Barb Stefan, St. Charles