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As the winds and rains built in intensity overnight Monday night into Tuesday morning, most Beaufort County residents were safe in their homes, either sleeping or anxiously keeping tabs on the progress of Tropical Storm Isaias as it passed over Beaufort County.

It’s important to recognize, however, that there were also a number of special people in our community who were not at home with their families during the storm. Instead, they were out working in some of the most hazardous conditions eastern North Carolina has to offer.

They are our line workers, public works staff, tree cutters and emergency management teams. They are law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and dispatchers. These are people who regularly go out of their way to serve their community, and sometimes even put their own lives at risk to ensure the safety and comfort of their fellow citizens.

Granted, each of these professions takes common sense precautions to minimize the risks they face. Nevertheless, when disaster strikes, these men and women put service to others ahead of themselves. They work together for the common good to do things like restore electricity, keep storm waters draining and take care of those around them.

They don’t do it for the glory, or necessarily the pay. They do it because they care about Beaufort County and it’s people, and for that, we are grateful. For those who face our community’s greatest storms head on, we offer a simple, “Thank you and a job well done.”

It may be a meager reward for the service you provide, but know that you have the gratitude of many who care for you, just as much as you do them.