To the Editor:

My husband and I were traveling through Jackson County headed home to Florida when we had a flat tire. I turned into the first parking lot I came to. It happened to be a family restaurant (Kostas, I think it was). It was Sunday late afternoon and the restaurant was closed, as was anywhere to get a flat fixed. My husband had a stroke less than a year ago so he could not help me. 

I called your sheriff’s office just to see if they knew where I could get help. The lady I spoke with said she would find me some help. Before the officer got to me a man named José, who works at the restaurant, came out. He got my spare from underneath my van. He took my old tire off and put the spare on. 

Before he could finish, my jack, which was a cheap one that came with my van, broke and the car fell. José called a friend who brought another jack and helped José change the tire. My spare is a donut and after all of that work, it turned out to be almost flat. Jose’s friend went back to his house and got an air compressor and came back to air up my tire. They took well over an hour out of their day to help a stranger. Neither man would take any money for their help, which we offered numerous times. They just said, “No, we’re not doing it for money.” 

These two men were a tremendous blessing to my husband and me. Just wanted everyone know that honor, integrity and character matter, and they are represented in your town. 

Not to leave out the sheriff’s office, they did show. But as they, were busy keeping your streets safe, José and his friend were almost finished when the officer arrived. Thank you so much. 

Charles and Rhonda Dalton 

Florida residents