LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Firefighter’s parents thank community

3/9/2014
Toledo  firefighters carry two fire jackets, sets of  boots, and helmets during a memorial Mass for two fallen comrades at the Historic Church of St. Patrick.
Toledo firefighters carry two fire jackets, sets of boots, and helmets during a memorial Mass for two fallen comrades at the Historic Church of St. Patrick.

On behalf of our family, we thank the Toledo Fire Department and Toledo Police Department for their service (“Vigil, Mass memorialize firefighters 1 month later,” Feb. 27). Their actions after the recent tragedy were above and beyond what anyone could expect.

Their care and thoughtfulness were, and still are, overwhelming. Toledo should be aware of the heroes it has in these departments.

The city was superb in the handling of the funeral of our son, Stephen Machcinski, and related events. The city has a superior mayor and administration. Our family was, and still is, treated with the utmost respect and concern.

We thank the staff at Walker Funeral Home for the way our son’s funeral was conducted.

Fire and police departments from across our country have been supportive in many ways. We thank them for what they do for us every day.

Last, we thank Toledo for its support and understanding. Our lives will never be the same without our Steve, but knowing that we have support everywhere we go helps us every day.

KEN and SHARON MACHCINSKI

Temperance, Mich.

Editor’s note: The writers’ son and fellow Toledo firefighter James Dickman died battling a North Toledo blaze Jan. 26.