(The following letter was signed by Brian's parents. It was directed for publication to the Hot Springs, SD weekly newspaper.)

Dear editor:

Our son, Brian Masek, experienced so much hard luck during a return trip from California to South Dakota that if it wouldn't have been for hard luck there wouldn't have been any luck at all.

The redeeming feature amidst major difficulties was the care and concern he received from three individuals in the Edgemont-Hot Springs areas. More about that a little later.

Our scenario begins in Hollywood, California, where Brian, 19, had just completed a year of instruction at a guitar school. His plans were to return to his Sioux Falls home and join a band or organize his own musical group.

Brian was under medication for a strep throat when he departed Los Angeles in his fully-loaded 1977 model car on the night of March 2. Ahead was to lie a series of vehicle breakdowns and a worsening of his health condition.

The car problems included an alternator belt that broke, a heater that ceased operating on two phases of the trip, a starter that became faulty leading to a $77 towing charge alone, and finally the need for replacement of the rear end by the time Edgemont was reached the evening of Saturday, March 4.

These unexpected expenses required that he be financially resupplied from home twice during the trip.

Reaching Edgemont and the final auto breakdown, Brian was discouraged, weary, depressed, getting short on cash, and in extreme pain. He was having difficulty swallowing and breathing. Brian made contact at the Edgemont clinic where he was immediately referred to the Hot Springs Hospital. He remained in the Hot Springs Hospital until the morning of March 5th when he was transported to the Rapid City Regional Hospital. At the Rapid City facility, a doctor lanced a huge abscess which had formed on one of Brian's tonsils. Brian remained at the hospital through the day and was released the morning of March 6th. He returned to Edgemont where the car was under repair. At 2 p.m. (MST) he departed on the last phase of his homeward journey. He reached Sioux Falls to be welcomed by his parents and a girlfriend at 10 p.m. (CST).

The dominant feature of these circumstances is the effort of at least three people who displayed the best in caring, sharing, and splendid Western openness. As we parents considered the distance involved and the inability to have hands-on-control it is a comfort to look back and know that others cared enough and did well in the decision-making process.

First, we have to cite Ron Berens, Edgemont chief of police. Officer Berrens arranged transportation for our sick son, showed them the utmost concern for him, guarded Brian's car and contents, and also had the car moved into Benny Hatch's repair shop. This officer treated Brian like his own son and deserves utmost praise for his helpfulness.

Dr. Jerry Cheslic, Edgemont Clinic, and Dr. Anderson, Hot Springs Hospital, were able to make telephone contact with Brian's mother late Saturday night. Both provided meaningful information on Brian's condition and made decisions on referred care that proved to be in his best interest. The actions of these professional people eased the state of mind for two parents who felt helpless, to a degree, by the many miles between them and their sick son on that cold Saturday night in March.