Boundary County remembers its fa

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.

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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.

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.