Thank you Haines friends for welcoming me 15 years ago and for letting me share the wonderful Alaska wilderness, your friendship and camaraderie. My thanks is a little late in coming, but it took me this long to realize that my time in Haines has come to an end.
I miss visiting with you at Mountain Market, passing you on the Battery Point trail, at the beach bonfires and salmon bakes, at Beerfest, the July 4 festivities and the SE Alaska State Fair.
I particularly valued my time as a member of the ambulance crew of the Haines Volunteer Fire Department and the friendships which developed over some of those long ambulance trips up the highway or out Mud Bay and Lutak roads.
Haines would not be Haines without its non-profits. I truly enjoyed my association with many of them — the Hammer Museum, KHNS Radio, the Anway House and the HVFD with its wonderful July 4th BBQ that feeds the entire town.
Finally, I want to thank the entire Haines community for the support you gave to my volunteer work with refugees in Greece, Iraq and more recently with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.
Haines you hold a special place in my heart. Daily I cherish my memories of so many special and unique opportunities each of you provided to me.
I look forward to seeing each of you on my yearly trips to Haines. Look me up if you will be in Southern California.
Eric Kocher