To the Editor,



On behalf of the owners of Griffith Lumber in Woolwine, their families and the employees and their families, I want to thank everyone for the kindnesses shown after the totally devastating fire that destroyed our dual sawmill operation on Thursday, April 23, 2009. Only the sawmill building and all the equipment in it were destroyed. None of the other buildings or parts of our operation or the office were damaged at all, thanks to the good work of the fire departments.

Special thanks go to all eight county volunteer fire departments that had about 90 firefighters there, the Smith River Rescue Squad and other local fire and law enforcement officials. The job of completely putting out the fire was hampered by the fact that the huge metal roof structure had fallen over top of all the machinery in the center of the large shed preventing them from being able to properly spray the water under the fallen roof. We thank the Lord no one was injured.

Another special thanks go to the employees who got there quickly to move fork lifts, trucks and trailers to prevent them from burning. Some stayed all night and all day the next day and made frequent trips to the site over the weekend to make sure the fire would not restart and spread. The Woolwine Fire Department and the Fairystone Fire Department made many more trips to put out hot spots and little small fires. Griffith workers rigged up a water truck and sprayer to use to keep the fire departments from having to return so often.

People in the community, area and business associates from all over the country have been so kind with their contacts, offers to help, offers of machinery and prayers. We are hoping to rebuild and to try to get our employees back to work.

Isaiah 61 mentions that there will be beauty that comes from ashes for those that trust the Lord, We do, and everything will be OK.

Thanks to all.

Bruce Griffith, president

Griffith Lumber Company Inc