Under a sunny sky on Saturday, June 28, Burien residents happily strolled the Strawberry and Arts Festival--the city's traditional signal that summer is finally here.

Along with the strawberry shortcake stand, craft booths and entertainment stages, the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department demonstrated fire safety to youngsters. Among those kids taught by firefighters was eight-year-old Edgar Cisneros.

Early the next morning, Edgar, his grandfather and a disabled man died in a tragic, lightning-fast fire that destroyed the Tara and Jenny Marie apartments.

Dozens of families lost everything in a flash.

And once again, Burien and Highline community leaders, merchants and just- plain-folks rallied to help.

As Times/News editor the past eight years, I've seen this community spirit countless times.

I remember Steve Denmark and others commandeering the vacant Gottschalks building to gather supplies for Katrina victims.

I remember North Highline Fire Chief Russ Pritchard taking his firefighters to work Deanna Duff's farm in Kent when she became seriously ill.

I remember the Duff family turning around and coming to the aid of Pritchard when he faced life-threatening surgery.

I remember the many benefit car washes after Sept. 11, 2001.

Singling out individuals for recognition is risky business, because there are so many that give so much but remain in the background.

But, by thanking those who took a leadership role, we are expressing gratitude to everyone who helped:

The firefighters who start each shift not knowing what danger they will face that day.

Apartment residents like Shan Coleman, who fearlessly rescued fellow tenants, but remarked, "I'm not a hero. I was just doing the human thing."

The Red Cross and Lake Burien Presbyterian Church that set up a shelter at the church. Since then, the Red Cross has aided another six residents victimized in a north Burien residential fire. The local chapter, covering King and Kitsap counties, respond to similar emergencies every 42 hours.

Patty Sader and the volunteers at Discover Burien who coordinated many of the efforts.

Bison Creek Pizza, Mick Kelley's Irish Pub and all those involved in major fundraisers.

Sterling Bank and Linda Isernio who set up accounts for two of the families.

Collins Chiropractic that accepted donations of clothing and household items.

An unnamed landlord of the former "Christian Supply" store who donated space to store large furniture items.

And, personally, I want to thank free-lancers Joy Henley and Tony Miller, who on their own enterprise, went out and dug up dramatic stories and photographs that informed our readers about what happened and how they could help.

Whenever I get discouraged about limited resources, I realize that our community newspaper does truly provide a public service.

And when I become wary about the future of our Highline cities, I am buoyed by the overwhelming evidence that we will hang on to our community spirit.