Editors, Vineyard Gazette;

For the past 35 years, my family has vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard. Driving off the ferry has never lost its thrill. We welcome the crowded downtown, sitting in the car at the Triangle, waiting in long lines for ice cream cones at Mad Martha’s, picking up newspapers at the Edgartown Paper Store and, finally, feeling the Atlantic on our toes.

This vacation was different. On August 6, at 2:20 in the afternoon, my brother in law suffered a fatal injury from a swimming accident. Strangers pulled him onto the shoreline at South Beach and within seconds two nurses who work at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital charged the waterfront where they immediately began CPR.

Lifeguards sprinted toward us. We saw men on four-wheelers, EMTs and police officers efficiently and precisely perform a well-orchestrated rescue. Every second counted.

Of course we watched this scene frozen in the sand, or pacing back and forth in shock. Three times, three different women held me in their arms, trying to absorb my sorrow. Strangers carried our beach chairs, umbrella, coolers, towels and canvas bags to the car. Amid those frantic moments, kindness found us. Thank you.

We returned home with a a pair of well-worn men’s relaxed fit Skechers sandals and two striped beach towels that do not belong to us. Next August, I’ll leave these items on the shoreline at South Beach. Perhaps the owners will find them and know how grateful we are for their compassion.

Susan Hinz Cloutier

Haverhill