Homer Alaska - Letters

Three weeks ago, while driving from Anchorage to Ninilchik, I had an accident. Just past Cooper Landing, my car hit black ice. The car skidded, spun around, into the oncoming lane and off the road, rolling over.

Bryan and Jennifer Hawkins of Homer were the first to arrive at the scene of my accident. They helped me out of my car, made sure I wasn't injured and offered to take me back to Anchorage.

Off-duty Trooper Ken Acton of Cooper Landing also stopped and assisted me. Trooper Acton, Jennifer and Bryan helped me tape my car with warning tape, report the accident and helped me formulate a plan for myself and for my vehicle.

I rode up to Anchorage with Jennifer and Bryan. Along the way, they helped me just by being themselves, which, I soon learned, meant that they are people of matter-of-fact, but deep and genuine generosity. While helping me contact my friend in Ninilchik, while helping me remove belongings from my car, and while riding for two hours with a dazed and somewhat emotional stranger, they showed me the utmost kindness. They refused any kind of payment for gas or transportation. They drove me to my home and hugged me when they left.

The communities of Homer and Cooper Landing can be proud of Jennifer and Bryan Hawkins and of Trooper Ken Acton. I am quite sure that I am not the first person in need to whom they have each provided help. They all are indeed Good Samaritans, good citizens and good, generous people.

Thank you, Bryan and Jennifer. Thank you, Trooper Acton. I owe you all my deepest gratitude.

Kathleen Bielawski

Anchorage