Harrah Fire Department Receives Dozens Of Thank Yous From Students

Jacqueline Sit, News 9

HARRAH, Oklahoma -- More than a month after wildfires destroyed homes in Harrah, students are saying thank you to the firefighters.

Students at Harrah High School said they feared the flames would burn down their school, but the firefighters kept that from happening.

A lot of teachers and students didn't think the building would still be standing after the wildfires, but fortunately, it was still there. Now a group of students are showing their gratitude in the form letters to their own hometown heroes.

"We walked outside and there was black smoke, and the fire, it was red. It was just very scary. I've never been that close to a fire," said Sheri Massey, Harrah High School English teacher.

The wildfire forced Massey and her students to evacuate the school in March.

Massey never thought the building would still be standing after the devastation, but she said it's because of the firefighters that their school was saved.

"It took heroic efforts to get that stopped and save people's properties," Massey said.

And what the fire sparred sparked a lesson in her English class that goes beyond a writing assignment-- letters of many thanks.

Harrah firefighter Justin McGeehee read the letters from those he and dozens of fire crews helped that day. He said these gifts of gratitude make a big difference.

"It means a lot to us, and that's the reason why we keep doing our job everyday and do it," McGeehee said.

Along with the letters, the firefighters received some homemade cookies. Harrah firefighters said it's the little tokens of appreciation that makes their job even more worthwhile.