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Community shines on Memorial Day
May 29, 2012
Officers from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol led the way Monday as Boundary County turned out in observance of Memorial Day.
by Mike Weland

This years' parade, as in many years past, was a showcase of the groups and orgaizations that serve the community, as well as the people who ply the industries upon which Boundary County was built. After thisyear's observance, coordinator Mike Ashby realized that no one was there to represent the timber industry, something he promises to remedy next year.
For the first time in memory, the people who packed downtown Bonners Ferry Monday on a clear, brisk Memorial Day didn't witness a parade led off by a color guard made up by the veterans of American Legion Post #55. But the county's veterans weren't far behind, and by all accounts, they coordinated a Memorial Day observance the community can take pride in.

"So many towns have given up celebrating Memorial Day as a community," I overheard one attendee say. "This town is lucky."

Blessed might be a better word, as the spirit of community and a love  of freedom  still thrive here, and few, if any, of our citizens have forgotten the high price we've paid to keep that freedom, a price paid in blood by those who answered this nation's call and stood fast when our freedom was threatened.

No, it wasn't our veterans who led the parade, but a sharp-looking color guard comprised of officers of another group of dedicated federal employees, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, who work day in and day out to secure our nation's borders.

"We are grateful for being allowed the honor," said Border Patrol supervisor Tish Lagerway. "We love being part of Bonners Ferry."

The Bonners Ferry Badger band sounded great on their march.
Legion veterans were, however, second in line on what turned out to be a wonderful parade, conveying the solemnity of the day, but also the fun and funny that makes this community the great place it is.

Afterwards, a big crowd gathered at Grandview Cemetery for the town's nearly century old observance, remembering the neighbors who fought and died while serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, through this nation's wars, and all who've laid their life on the altar of freedom.

After the raising of the colors and the singing of our national anthem, Rebecca Huseby led those gathered in singing "The Star Spangled Banner," and then American Legion Post #55 Commander Terry Spence led the Pledge of Allegiance and post chaplain Mike Ashby asked the Lord's blessing with the invocation.

Jason Snyder of Boy Scout Troop 114 stirred those gathered with his patriotic reading and Amie Hoisington, Bonners Ferry's Distinguished Young Woman for 2012, recited a poem to bring to mind clearly while we gather and uphold the traditions of the day.

The Albeni Falls Fife and Drum Corps
The skirll of bagpipes and the solemn sound of the drums filled the air as the Albeni Falls Pipe and Drum Corps made their slow march in.

Ken Toline, retired Master Chief Petty Officer with 22 years of active service in both the Navy and the Marine Corps, who served in Viet Nam and Operation Desert Storm, with master of ceremonies Tim Wilson, USMC, retired, held his notes to the podium, safe from the cool breeze blowing through, spoke of the meaning of patriotism and service to country.

Many in the audience bowed their heads and some wept as Army Veteran John Tucker slowly read the final roll call of all the veterans of this community who passed away in the past two years, a list surprisingly long until you remember the patriotism instilled here and the willingness of our young men and women to answer the nation's call in times of strife, and to stand vigil in peacetime in service in all branches of the U.S. military ... doing their part to retain the freedoms we as citizens too often take for granted.

Brefore turning the microphone over for the benediction, Wilson gave laurels to the man giving the prayer, Chaplain Mike Ashby, crediting him for the many years he quietly worked to oversee the myriad details that go into hosting such an event.

Mike took the podium a little red faced from the accolade, as people applauded in appreciation, and finally quieted and bowed their heads.

The color guards, from both Customs and Post #55, were called to attention, the commander of the U.S. Customs firing squad barked commands and the salute was fired. As the echo from the shots faded, the bugle sounded, crisp and clear, the notes that forever have special meaning for those who have served, the haunting notes of Taps, heard each day on military bases around the world to signal the end of another day, blown at the funerals of the fallen, and at ceremonies at which the fallen are remembered.
There was a good deal of anticipation from the many who lined the Memorial Day parade route through downtown Bonners Ferry, waiting to see what came next ...
And it wasn't just kids who enjoyed gathering the candy those in the parade tossed on their way by!
There were Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies ...
Shriners on go-carts ...
... and on ATVs with an up-front navigator in big glasses.
The county's emergency responders were well represented, and Paradise Valley Fire Chief Gary Leonard was one of many who walked the course to give out candy.
There were floats with flags and girls with big, patriotic hats ...
... and cars and trucks from days long past. Here's Chuck Quillin driving a guest who's long been part of our Memorial Days, Barney Slattery, Creston, who fought in the Canadian Army in Korea.
There were horses and riders dressed in their finest ...
... And horses drawing buggies, and still looking for a hitching post!
Hot race cars and classics ...
... and rigs that were downright whimsical, such as "Potator" here!
Old farmers rolling through on old iron ...
... and some farmers who'll have to wait a few years to reach the pedals.
There were bicycles ... some of them pretty small ...
... Hobby horses and dog power, rodeo clowns ...
... and rodeo cow girls, including Becky Calderone.
Flags were in abundance at Grandview Cemetery, lining the walkways ...
... And decorating the graves of every veteran buried there.
People caught up with friends they haven't seen for awhile ...
... Toddlers on shoulders to better enjoy the view.
Generations paid their respects to those who are no longer with us ...
... and John Tucker read a long list of names of county veterans who have recently passed away.
While master of ceremonies Tim Wilson held the pages against a cool breeze, retired master chief petty officer Ken Toline, who served in Viet Nam and Iraq, spoke of the meaning of patriotism and service.
Coordinator Post #55 Chaplain Mike Ashby, who along with a great many members, including John Tucker and Post Commander Terry Spence, proudly watched as all the planning and work comes to flawless fruition.
As the Boundary County Memorial Day observance of 2012 drew to a close, members of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol firing squad fired a salute with poise and precision, and the mournful sound of Taps sounded for a crowd that had fallen silent.