El Dorado County Search & Rescue receives many letters from organizations and individuals who appreciate the service we render to the community, whether it be finding and rescuing someone, giving a presentation before a group, or publishing this website. Woman Found in Wilderness - After Search and Rescue teams were called in to locate a 41-year-old woman who had become separated from her friend, the following message with a donation was received at the South Lake Tahoe Sheriff's Office: "My heartfelt thanks to each one of you who participated and assisted in my rescue last week, Thursday, July 15, 1999, from the Desolation Wilderness. I understand that you all volunteered your own time and effort by foot, hoof, and air. Some of the most admirable qualities that people can possess is kindness, caring, and giving one's own time and effort to help and assist those in need. What some might call angels. I certainly do. I cannot thank you all enough. It is refreshing to know that there are people (angels) so far from home who would exert themselves for a stranger who lost her way. I will remember you always. God bless you all. P.S. Please accept the attached donation." Quartet Rescued from River - Four grateful rafters wrote this letter to the Mountain Democrat newspaper: "We would like to take a moment to thank the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, Search and Rescue Team, and the California Highway Patrol helicopter crew. After becoming stranded on the South Fork of the American River these women and men risked their lives to save ours. Working as a team these people were able to find us, assess our situation and to bring us safety. Accidents happen and it is nice to know that there are people out there who care enough about others to help in every way possible. Also, we would like to thank the gentleman who took the time to find out why we were yelling and to call 911. Without his help our rescue would have been much more difficult. Thanks also from the parents of the boys who stayed with them through the whole ordeal informing them of everything through their newly purchased scanner. Thanks again and keep up the good work." SAR Presentation to Boy Scouts "Mr. Duer, We (the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 645) wish to thank you for the presentation that you gave to us on your experiences as a Search and Rescue member. Your presentation was interesting and informative, and it was intriguing when you discussed how much our respective organizations/practices were alike. The experiences that you shared with us were engaging, and rather exciting. The equipment that you introduced was fascinating, and the tactile experience of your Search and Rescue vehicle was a great deal of fun. Your presentation made us aware of your organization, and allowed us to experience a portion of your incredible volunteer group. It is extremely encouraging to know that such capable people as you are on guard, ready to assemble to find those of us who lose their way. As a token of our gratitude, we have decided to donate fifty dollars to your organization, enclosed in this envelope. Thank you once again for your incredible presentation." "I would like to thank SAR, and in particular Mr. Paul Duer, for the wonderful presentation given to our BSA Troop 645 in El Dorado Hills. The topic was very well received and our boys decided that they would like to present SAR with a small check to aid your program. It has been a few months since this presentation was made. I must say that the slowness in this letter is due to the committee and not the boys. Thanks again." EDSAR Website - Many appreciate this El Dorado County Search & Rescue website. The content is being gathered from articles and first-hand reports contributed by SAR members, many by Paul Duer, a 14-year Search and Rescue veteran and Sierra West Training Officer, who is directing the website's development.. "Thank you! Your web site is fascinating. My wife and I are avid backpackers. Your interesting descriptions of actual searches and rescues are very compelling, yet at the same time very sobering. We hope that we are never on the recieving end of your hard work, or the cause of "that phone call at 2:00 a.m." However, it is reasuring to know that in the event of an emergency we would be in very capable hands. We have a number of friends who also enjoy backpacking in the Sierras, among whom we regularly circulate your latest search reports, both for entertainment and as a warning. Thank you again very much!" "Excellent website." - Seattle, Washington "I have searched many websites for the SAR community in my many years while involved with SAR, and find yours to be the absolute best bar none. It explains your teams, gives great advice and listings and is the most comprehensive I have every seen. I love your site and have highly recommended it to the teams that we work with here on the East coast of the US. Our team is starting a website and will try to do as good a job as yours has, but I feel that task may be impossible. I would like to add your site to our links section as to allow others to enjoy and be educated form your information. Thanks for the information and the many hours of great enjoyment while checking out all the articles you have posted." - Jim Jackson, DC2/Ranger, USSARTF "The web site is great!!!  You did a super job." "Well Done....good site! Enjoyed it.....MORE! MORE!" "Your site is terrific! There is something for just about anyone who wants information: other SAR folks, prospective members, fellow team members, and the general public. You should get some kind of award for the set-up. It's real user friendly." - New Jersey "Just looked over the page.  Good work to whoever did it.  We have gotten a lot of compliments on our page but I must say that some things I would like to see on ours." - Pennsylvania "You have a good web site." - Oregon "Your web site looks great, with a lot of very good information." - Santa Barbara "Excellent web-site. . . . I think the info on the site is extensive and well done!! Again, more kudos as I further explore the site." - Placerville "Just visited the SAR web site. It's great! One of the best I've seen on any subject--easy to follow, good pics, interesting info." - Placerville More Appreciation - There are many, many more people to thank for their contributions to El Dorado County Search & Rescue. We'll be looking for more "Thanks" to add to this list, so please send in written notes and verbal expressions of appreciation that you've received or have given, or would like to give, to someone involved with Search & Rescue.