Submit your thank-you letters to honor, recognize first responders

Sep. 29—First responders wipe tears, comfort the wounded and witness heinous tragedies befalling our community. They devote their lives to ensuring our community is safe.

To honor these individuals making a difference in lives every day, The Californian will publish a special section on National First Responders Day, which falls on Oct. 28. Any community members who would like to submit their messages of gratitude can send them to idesai@bakersfield.com with the subject line "National First Responders Day."

These messages could range from a simple thank-you or a story from when a first responder made a difference in someone's life. The submission could focus on a particular agency, or a broader look on the profession as a whole. It's up to you!

Please keep the submission to 150 words or less, and send it in by the Oct. 10 deadline. Include your name, city of residence and phone number. The phone number will not be published in the special section, but it allows us to follow up with any questions.