By Mike Weland
Memorial Day in Bonners Ferry is always a
kaleidoscope, smiles and laughter through
the parade, kids scrambling for candy from
the passing fire trucks and cool cars, the
solemnity of each year's remembrance of
those of who lie in Grandview Cemetery,
having paid the ultimate sacrifice, laying
down their life in service to our nation.
It's an event that always changes, yet
always stays the same. The faces of people
you've known for years, the faces of
neighbors you have yet to meet.
The 2017 remembrance fell on a beautiful
day, with sunny skies, a drop in the recent
sky-high pollen count and warm temperatures
just ideal for the fun of the parade and the
quiet of the service, and ideal, too, for
all who spent their day on local waters, or
who went home after the names of those from
Boundary County who gave their lives for a
grateful nation were read and the colors
retired for a picnic or time with family.
This year boasted a wonderful parade, well
attended by both those driving, riding or
marching, as well as those who lined the
streets of downtown Bonners Ferry to enjoy
the spectacle.
The Bonners Ferry Badgers were out in force,
with the Bonners Ferry High School Band
leading a procession that included
Distinguished Young Woman, the track team's
state athletes, the 2017 Idaho State A3
Championship Softball Team, none other than
the Bonners Ferry Badgers rode in the parade
in style.
Their counterparts, the 2017 Idaho State A3
second place baseball team, again our very
own Bonners Ferry Badgers, had to walk the
whole parade route, but it was hard to tell
which team drew the loudest cheers, as the
crowd poured out their pride in all our
Badgers every step of the way.
Story continues below photo
Most years, I do my best in writing the
story of our community's Memorial Day
remembrance trying to capture the flavor,
the feel of what our esteemed guests say,
but this year, I shan't ... if you weren't
there, there are no words of mine that can
convey or add to the emotion with which the
words were spoken.
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|
Representative Heather Scott |
I can tell you this that year's honored
guest speaker, Idaho First District
Representative Heather Scott, choked up, on
the verge of tears, in telling of growing up
the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, the
granddaughter of two World War II veterans.
I can't convey how much of her heart she put
into the telling.
I can tell you of some of the knowing looks
her words elicited from others who had grown
up the children of our war veterans, but I
can't explain to those who didn't share such
an upbringing just what those words felt
like.
I have no words to convey the look in the
eyes of those combat veterans who spoke, or
stood in the audience, who, more than any
others, understand the true significance of
Memorial Day.
Who, having seen friends and comrades die on
the field of battle, having gone to the
homes of those the fallen left behind to
tell their families how their loved one
died, know more than any others that there
are no words adequate to convey what they
know in their hearts, yet know that no
matter what, we must strive to try, lest we
forget.
 |
| Explorer
Dina Cook |
There weren't so many in attendance at this
year's remembrance at Grandview as in many
of the years past. Maybe it was the
beautiful weather, the lure of cool water,
good food and good friends.
So instead of trying to convey the words
that those who weren't there missed, I'll
just tell you who spoke and hope that, next
year, more of you will come out to hear the
words for yourself, that we never forget.
Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Tim
Wilson, a Top Gun fighter pilot in Desert
Storm and Desert Shield, once again served
ably as host and emcee. Members of Bonners
Ferry Border Patrol Explorer Post #190
served as the color guard for the Procession
of the Colors and American Legion Post 55
Chaplain Jaak Sanders gave the invocation.
Pastor Len Pine sang the National Anthem,
American Legion Post 55 Commander Ken Toline
led the Pledge of Allegiance. Eagle Scout
Eric Layeux gave the patriotic reading, and
Bonners Ferry 2017 Distinguished Young Woman
Hannah Sims presented the Memorial Day
Address.
 |
| Eagle
Scout Eric Layeux |
As mentioned, Representative Heather Scott,
attending the Bonners Ferry Memorial Day
Remembrance for the first time, was guest
speaker, and American Legion Post 55
Historian John Tucker solemnly read the Roll
Call of the Fallen.
The Honor Guard Salute was fired by Veterans
of Boundary County, and Chaplain Sanders
gave the benediction before Border Patrol
Explorer Post #190 retired the colors and
the service came to an end.
Oh, and there was one other speaker.
Supervisory Explorer Lexie LeVesque was
originally supposed to read a poem she had
written, but due to unforeseen circumstances
she was unable to attend the event. Her poem
was still heard thanks to Explorer Dina
Cook, who read it on Lexie's behalf.
I share with you her words, and leave you
with a kaleidoscope of images. The
faces of people you've known for years, the
faces of neighbors you have yet to meet.
