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Another memorable Memorial Day
May 28, 2013
Dark clouds threatened rain, but no rain fell on those gathered as Boundary County remembered and honored those of our own "who gave the last full measure of devotion." Mentioned often today was the name of Army Specialist Ethan Martin, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, family, and friends on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, while serving his country in Korgay, Afghanistan. Remembered, too, were the many veterans of ours who served and came home; Navy, Marine, Army and Air Force, and continue to serve.

Their ranks grow smaller, those who remain to continue the honored tradition grow older, but none are forgotten.

Typically, there are two events that comprise Memorial Day in Boundary County; on Monday there were three.

It started with the annual Memorial Day Parade.

In spite of a "no candy" law, there was a lot of candy thrown during the parade ... and good candy, too; "Pixie Sticks," ""Sugar Babies," "Tootsie Rolls," and more.

A child with a Pixie Stick, her shirt holding a cornucopia of candy, seemed to debate the sense of such an inane rule.

One mother excitedly pointed her child toward the street after the contingent or horses had passed and said, "Look! Horse donuts!"

The child looked back and said, "Mom ... that's poo."

After the parade, many gathered at Grandview Cemetery, where flowers adorned graves and flags fluttered from the resting place of each of the many veterans buried there.

As always, the ceremony was beautiful and solemn, with old soldiers and fresh youth giving stirring speeches that touched hearts.

At 3 p.m., the American Legion's Club 55 was filled almost to capacity as Idaho Governor Butch Otter, who flew in from Boise just for the event, helped rededicate the Legion Post 55 building, transformed late last year into a smoke-free facility ... one that is once again destined to be oft used both by the community as well as this county's veterans.

Here's how it looked.
  It was organized mayhem at the Fairgrounds before this year's Memorial Day Parade, with band instruments blaring, horses nickering and rigs big and small getting into position.
Leading the way, as they have for years, the color guard of American Legion Post 55. 
  There were Girl Scouts ...
... old cars ... 
... Boundary County's oldest military veterans ... 
... old veterans riding in old military Jeeps ...
  ... And even old Veterans on motorcycles, leading a U.S. Marine, who led the way for the Bonners Ferry High School Marching Band. 
There were cowboys and cow girls ...   
... The Easter Bunny, too, passing out candy from her bicycle's basket ... 
Along with the Shriner's camels ...  
... and some gnarly mean bulls, there to remind everyone of the Bull Bash, coming to the Fairgrounds at 7 p.m. June 15. 
This clown and her little burro added to the fun ...   
... and kids especially got a kick out of the Roman charioteer. 
There were Distinguished Young Women ... 
... Firefighters passing out buckets and boots of candy ... 
... as well as firefighters throwing candy from an impressive assortment of rigs. 
There were flag-bearing Scouts, girls on bicycles ... 
... and old guys on go-karts, collecting high-fives. 
  There were trucks hauling the products that built this community ... 
... and the old tractors that tilled some of the nations richest farmland.   
  Mounted officers of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and horse-drawn buggies brought up the rear of the parade, kindly leaving behind steaming "horse donuts" for mothers to tease kids about.
At Grandview, the color guard stood ready ... 
... as people gathered to remember ...
... and as old sailors and soldiers remenisced.   
  William Colson, Boy Scout Troop 114, gave this years patriotic reading, invoking perhaps the most poignant ever, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. 
And Bonners Ferry's Distinguished Young Woman, Anika Blackmore, gave a touching remembrance of those who've laid their lives on the altar of freedom ...  
  ... Reaching the hearts of those gathered. 
Retired Navy Master Chief Ken Toline waxed eloquent in giving welcome to this year's guest speaker ... 
Navy Captain (Retired) Leonard LaSchack, whose brave exploits during the Cold War are legend in the CIA. He wrote "Project Coldfeet: Secret Mission to a Soviet Ice Station" only after many years had passed, years during which few outside the CIA could know. He spoke of some of Boundary County's fallen warriors, including Specialist Ethan Martin.
Students from Cornerstone Christian School, under the direction of Dennis Shelton, performed a medley of patriotic songs ...   
... though Dennis spent much of his time showing his young grandson around! 
Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkenton's sad and mournful pipes sounded ...  
... And John Tucker read the names of Boundary County veterans who passed away during the year past  ...
... Leaving those listening time for solemn reflection ...
  ... remembrance .. 
As tradition is handed to yet another generation.    
Later, at Club 55, Captain LeSchack signed a copy of his book for the guest of honor at the rededication of the Boundary County Legion Hall ...
As Idaho Governor Butch Otter and Master Chief Toline swapped stories of their time in service to their nation. 
American Legion Post 55 Commander Terry Spence, a retired Air Force Captain, spoke of the work that went into transforming the Hall ... 
... and Cal Russell, owner of Boundary Tractor/Yamaha, who donated considerably to the cause, spoke of the Hall's role as a community pillar ...
... and Governor Otter, a life member of the American Legion, spoke fondly (and humorously) of  his service in the Idaho National Guard and of the important role the American Legion plays in communities state-wide.
In closing the ceremony, Post 55 Chaplain Mike Ashby delivered a prayer, thankful of the persistence, toil and generosity of members of the American Legion and the community, and calling for continued diligence to once again make the Legion Hall a place that veterans and the community can take pride in.
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