Heroic effort, futile effort

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
We will long remember fire’s amazing perseverance and power as it consumed Hillsboro’s largest building, the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Those of us who were familiar with the facility are still amazed that it burned so dynamically and completely.

Nor will we forget the volunteer fire fighters from 10 local departments who performed in one sense futility, and yet professionally, against this huge blaze. On this day, they were simply overmatched against a huge foe-and a variety of conditions that made their heroic effort almost useless.

A huge thanks to each of them. Their commitment to the task gave us all courage in the face of great loss. -DR

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