We commit ourselves to honor, remember

This community will not soon forget the collective heartbreak in July 2011 when the news that Nick Newby and Nate Byers were killed in Iraq first broke. The soldiers served with the 145th Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry of the Idaho Army National Guard out of Post Falls. Their deaths brought the War in Iraq home for so many of us.

Last week the addition of a new memorial monument to honor the sacrifices of this latest generation of service members was announced. In the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza is an 8-foot tall, black granite monument to Kootenai County Killed in Action heroes, from the Spanish American War through Vietnam. The newest monument will honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion in the War on Terror, including Nick and Nate. As long as there are young men and women willing to serve and sacrifice for this country, there must be a commitment to honor and remember.

Since my father's death in 2004 I've had the privilege of serving as the curator of the plaza named in his honor. When he created the place between the county courthouse and the then-new county administration building in 1997 his goal as a World War II and Korea veteran was to pay honor to those who have fought for our freedom throughout the years. He vowed that no public money would be used to create or maintain the veterans plaza, a commitment that has been respected for 15 years.

With the new Killed in Action monument in motion and a tentative dedication date in September, I'm hopeful that the public will contribute in amounts small and large to make this permanent remembrance a reality.

Donations can be sent to the dedicated account, Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o Commissioners, PO Box 9000, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816.

"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address.

Post Falls is the place to be for the four-day Post Falls Festival that has a new look and additional venues this year. Thursday at the Post Falls Chamber and City Hall plaza there's a Retro Ride Show and Shine and the Post Falls Lions Local Market. The carnival rides will be at Trading Company all four days and at beautiful Q'emiln Park on the Spokane River there are multiple stages with live music and entertainment, along with a large variety of vendors and a beer garden. Saturday morning is the parade, starting at 11 a.m., preceded by the In Color Jordan Johnson Fun Run and followed by an open house at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's Station 1. On Sunday morning, join the Community Worship Service on the plaza at City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon, bring a chair.

It's going to be a great weekend in the River City. See the complete schedule of events at www.postfallsidaho.org.

* Note that the Q'emiln Park boat launch is closed during the festival Friday-Sunday.

At 23, Kyle Johnson is on the fast track to achieving his dream of playing Major League Baseball. Graduating from Lake City High in 2008 and WSU in 2012, Kyle was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels last year, playing on the Burlington, Iowa, farm team until being traded to the NY Mets last week. So now the right fielder is in Florida where he played his first game with the St. Lucie Mets farm team. Kyle reached base four times, scored three runs and stole a base in the St. Lucie Mets 5-3 win over the Fort Myers Miracle. I'd say he's off to a great start on his way to the bigs.

Highlights ... Sunday is the Coeur d'Alene Garden Club's annual Garden Tour, featuring five beautiful local gardens. Info: 664-0987 or 699-1175, www.coeurdalenegardenclub.com and next Wednesday, July 17 ... Wine, Women and Shoes to benefit Idaho Youth Ranch/Anchor House at Coeur d'Alene Cellars. Wine tasting, silent auction, fashion show, appetizers and shopping. I'd say that about covers what you need for a great event! Info: 640-3541, www.winewomenandshoes.com/IYR.

Happy Birthday today to Jason Faulkner, Collin Coles, Jim Hail, Sr., Amber Blanchette, Gene Gertson, Jan Ryan, Mike Stevens, Heather Wichman, Darren Olson, Pat Fuller and Michael Garrett and tomorrow to Fernan Village Mayor Richard Jurvelin and Post Falls City Councilwoman Betty Ann Henderson, Jeri Lee, Bill Graves, Scott Mote and Maxine Nelson. On Friday Chelsea Rosenberger, BeBe Fletcher, Cheri Burila, Emily Hodgson, Paul Burke and Jim Welborn celebrate. Saturday is a big day for Ingrid Yates, Mark Daanen, Julia Koontz, Becky Rider, Kris Mans, Brooke Hayden and Karen Applebee. Dee Barnes, Barb Chambers, Kathleen Esquibel, John Lasher, Jim Lyons, Nancy Seright, Jaime Vanderpool and Dawnelle Garvey will blow out the birthday candles on Sunday. Best wishes for a happy birthday on Monday to Kris Siebers, Katie Mans, Loretta Lyon, Angela Olson, Andreas John, Julie Ingram, Marisa Buffaloe, Brian Bunch, Wayne Huckabee and Glen Collins and to Sandi Morrison, Yvonne Smith, Marcy Clutter, Loretta Lyon, Angela Olson, Andreas John, Rich Doughty, Cindy Wiedmer, Patrick Ryan and Doug Jaworski on Tuesday.

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 2013 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached at [email protected] or find her on Facebook!