Heroes and angels are among us
There's no question that Sept. 11 has become synonymous with acts of heroism and humanity that surpass description. But right here at home a young couple displayed courage and generosity of the heart that brings us all to our knees and is a reminder how life can change in an instant.
Tuesday, Aug. 30 was like any other day for Dale and Heather Way. Heather had taken their five-year-old daughter, Brittany for a walk in the neighborhood when she heard the wail of an ambulance. Rushing home she saw emergency vehicles in her driveway. Her husband, Dale and their just-turned 3-year-old son, Freddy were home when the boy choked on a piece of a hot dog. Rushed to KMC and then airlifted to Sacred Heart in Spokane, a comatose Freddy clung to life. On Thursday the doctors told his parents their boy no longer had brain function. It was on that day that Dale and Heather found a ray of hope in what for certain was their darkest hour. They made the decision to donate their son's organs and started an emotional journey that would give life and a future to other parents' children. On Saturday, Sept. 3, Freddy Way became an angel as well as a hero of epic proportions. Today his big sister starts her first day of kindergarten.
One day she'll understand just how special her little brother was and how blessed she is to have such incredibly generous and compassionate parents. Our prayers to the Way family as they travel this heartbreaking journey together.*Friends have set up a memorial account in Freddy Way's name at local branches of Mountain West Bank to help with medical and funeral expenses.
***Reading the criteria at www.congressionalaward.org, it would seem unlikely that one, much less two, local young people would have achieved the recognition. But in late August Coeur d'Alene High School students Steven Price, a junior, and Sidney Sales, a senior, did just that. Steven earned the Silver medal and Sidney a bronze. The medals were presented in Boise by Idaho's Congressional delegation, Senators Crapo and Risch and Congressman Labrador, with Governor Otter in attendance.
Anyone searching for role models for their children need to look no further than Steven and Sidney.***
Saturday is 9/10/11 and there are a couple of opportunities for cycling enthusiasts to take to the road to benefit good causes. Kathy Johnson Hlebichuk has been a passionate and tireless advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness and research since losing her sister, Barb, to the disease. The second annual PurpleRide has room for more participants. Go to www.purpleride.org and click on Spoke d'Alene or call Kathy at 640-6341. Then there's Bike MS-Wheelin' for Wells, a two-day,150-mile ride on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes to benefit muscular dystrophy awareness. Auctioneer Rose Backs has organized the event in honor of her auctioneering mentor Randy Wells, who's been living with the diagnosis for several years. Contact [email protected] or 640-7449 for info on participating or making a contribution to the cause.
***Sweet little Sophie Medlock began her second round of chemo yesterday, a grueling 8-week process. Hugs and prayers for Sophie and her parents, Jake and Nicole.
***Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Several local ceremonies will pay tribute to the men and women who bravely served as first responders on that horrible day in our nation's history.
In addition to the first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, the flight crews of American Airlines Flights 11 and 77, and United Airlines Flights 175 and 93, spent their final moments comforting and protecting their passengers during the hijackings. Thirty-three pilots and flight attendants died that day. Our youngest daughter had been a flight attendant for barely a year in 2001 and as the horrific news unfolded that morning we held our breath until we were able to contact her. When air traffic resumed four days later I boarded a plane in Spokane for LAX where I met her for a hug and a quick visit as she went back to work in the air. I flew right back home. It was my personal act of defiance against the terrorists and needing to see for myself she was safe. She continues to fly today. I continue to harbor a bit of fear in the back of my mind that the unthinkable could happen again in this country.
It's my heartfelt hope that we as American citizens never forget the attacks nor the men and women of our Armed Forces who continue to be in harm's way as they fight for freedom a world away.***
Today wish a happy birthday to Laura Umthun, Jim Brannon, Vicki Fulton and Kathleen Cavender. Turning 80 tomorrow is Imogene Sverdsten sharing a birthday with Angie Demmig, Vicki Currie, Sheena Dunn, Lorna Price, Anne Mitchell and Sonya Fernandes. Friday is the big day for Kibbee Walton, Dani Zibell-Wolfe, Richard Clearwater, Mary Larson, Marty Meyer, Krysta Azzollini and Chase Price. Tami Martinez, Annette Kennedy, Greg Gain and Mary Ellen Denton celebrate on Saturday. Twins Hannah and Cameron Epstein turn four on Sunday. Also marking their birthdays on Sunday are Jim Pierce, Mark Compton and Preben Jensen. On Monday Sept. 12, Polly Gava is the birthday girl and a big crowd will be blowing out their candles on Tuesday ... Marianne Buley, Kelly Sheffield, Lori Nelson, Janell Mollett, Chris Mann, Gina Davis, Cher Rhoads, Mary Langenberg, Julie Ann Sparrowgrove and Nicole Hamilton.
***Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Listen to Main Street on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at [email protected]