[Ed. Note: The following excerpted letter of gratitude sent by e-mail to R.W. Grand Master James L. Ernette speaks for itself. Brian Rote is a member of Manheim Lodge No. 587.]

Dear Grand Master Ernette:

I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of [a deed by] one of your members from Lancaster County, Brian Rote.

I was on my way to work in Hershey... [after] I dropped off my son at pre-school. It was a cold, clear morning. ... my car went out of control trying to avoid something in the road. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late.... I went [across] the left lane, hitting a concrete culvert .... The next thing I remember was being upside-down and listening to the quiet around me. I kept saying to myself, "Lord, what have I done? Please don't let me die this way." I saw smoke in my car, maybe from the air bags. I was afraid that my car was going to catch fire. It's pretty scary when your life is flashing before you.

I saw a truck pass by overhead, but didn't stop. Not long after that, a man started down the hill. I was trying to bang on the window. I couldn't get out. The man was Brian Rote. He asked me if I was alone and told me that help was on the way. I kept telling him not to leave me. He did a great job in keeping me calm. I didn't give any thought that he wasn't going to be able to get me out. I just knew he would. Another man was there to assist.

Brian managed to get one of the doors open and pulled the seat loose in order to pull me out of the car. My left foot was caught in the dash area after the car landed upside-down. I managed to pull it out. When they both started to pull me up the hill, I realized that something was wrong with my left foot.... Brian and the other man carried me up the embankment and helped me to the side of the road.

Brian .... had a first-aid kit in his car and ... some kind of blanket. He found something to wrap my foot in to stop the bleeding. He covered me with the blanket to stay warm. Every day now, when I drive past that spot where my accident happened, I can't help but think of Brian Rote who helped me to safety while risking his own life. Who knows what could have happened if he hadn't stopped to help.... One thing is for sure: One never knows when a guardian angel will appear. The day of my accident, Brian Rote was that guardian angel!

Sincerely,

Fran Hadley
(Mrs. Bruce Hadley)

There was an addendum to the letter from Bruce Hadley:

... I am very grateful for the quick thinking and the preparedness of your organization's member, Brian Rote. I was truly thankful that not only did he rescue my wife, but that he was equipped with a blanket, a first aid kit, and a cell phone. He was able to summon help right away and call me to let me know where the ambulance was taking her. .... He made a very difficult judgment to remove my injured wife from the car [which] he did not do until he was certain of no other serious injuries.