It’s always good to see folks getting the credit they’re due, and that’s just what took place at lunchtime on Friday, when the residents and staff of Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation — Nansemond Pointe on West Constance Road served up barbecue, fried chicken, sausages, baked beans, cole slaw, watermelon and drinks for firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers during what they hope will become an annual First Responders Appreciation Day.

Nansemond Pointe, of course, has a relatively large percentage of residents and patients who depend on the city’s emergency medical staff to respond quickly and professionally whenever they’re called.

But Nansemond Pointe is not unique in Suffolk for its dependence on the city’s first responders. Just Saturday morning, firefighters were responsible for saving a Wilson Street couple from their burning home. Later that day, police officers were able to find a 76-year-old woman who had been reported missing in the woods behind her home on Manning Road. Fire and emergency crews extricate victims trapped inside crashed cars on a regular basis. And police rush to the scenes of fights and violent crimes, never knowing exactly what dangers await their arrival.

Kudos to the folks at Nansemond Pointe for reminding us all just how vital are the services these men and women provide to Suffolk and its citizens. We congratulate the folks at the rehabilitation center for their grand idea. Even more, we tip our hats to the firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers and sheriff’s deputies who put it all on the line every day to make sure we’re all safe.

They surely deserve a day of honor.