To the editor:

The recent loss of two lives at the Jeffrey Energy Center serves as a tragic reminder of the brave public servants of Westar Energy. The brave men and women who operate and maintain the power plants that produce the electrical energy, along with their counterparts who build and maintain the electrical delivery system for the people of Kansas are true American heroes and should be recognized as such. These strong, brave people work tirelessly to serve the electrical needs of their fellow Kansans. While their occupations are inherently dangerous, they each strive to return home safely at the end of each work day. Despite best efforts, sometimes conditions occur that are not known or controllable at the moment but yet must be managed. These are the men and women who rush to the emergency to be certain that Kansans have power at the moment it’s needed. May we salute these heroes in the memory of Damien “Craig” Burchett, of Overbrook, and Jesse Rayford Henson, of Manhattan. May they rest in peace.