One parent's heartfelt thank you

To the editor: This letter is in regards to the article about the “Young Witnesses” to that fatal accident on the state Thruway last Tuesday. As a parent of one of those students on the bus I will be forever grateful on so many levels for so many things that day, not the least of which is that my child and his classmates and teachers are safe at home today. It was reported that the school bus was in close proximity to this horrific accident. What some of you may not realize is just how close they were. Mere seconds separated our children from being much worse than just eyewitnesses. When I heard of how close they came to actually being part of the wreckage, my eyes well up and I thank God for giving us the angels that saw our children through this tragedy. First and foremost, thank you to (bus driver) Claire Diliberto for having the quick reflexes to react in this crisis. Were it not for your control and fast-thinking I would hate to think what might have been. Thank you to Mrs. Goggin and Miss Healy for keeping the situation as calm as possible and for keeping our children distracted from this traumatic sight. This couldn’t have been easy to sustain for two hours. While I could tell that you, Mrs. Goggin, were also traumatized, you also kept your composure while describing the tragic events. You give true meaning to the words leader and role model. I am proud to have my son in your class. I would also like to thank the Tuxedo Fire Department for helping our children in their time of need. On the lighter side, fifth graders that are stuck on a bus for two hours after having all drank large sodas ... well I don’t have to tell you the scenario, but you came through with a solution to their dilemma. And finally, to the police for letting a bus come to rescue the children from that horrible scene. Seeing the accident was terrifying enough but to sit and watch people go through the wreckage for two hours was more than enough for even the strongest adult to endure. You may all say you were just doing your jobs but I think you all went above and way beyond. My deepest heartfelt thanks to all of you. Maureen Locke Monroe