Heroes among us every day
On Saturday at Riverstone theater, John and Stacey Holley of Post Falls took in the first showing of the day for the new movie, "Lone Survivor." The film depicts the true story of a Navy SEAL operation in Afghanistan and the lone survivor, Marcus Lattell. Stacey described the movie as emotional and powerful and said that when she and her husband walked out of the theater the words courage and honor were on her mind.
What the other movie-goers would not have known is that they were sharing the experience with two people who know all too well about courage, honor and sacrifice. The Holleys' combat medic son, Matthew, gave the last full measure of devotion on the battlefield in Iraq, killed by a roadside bomb on Nov. 15, 2005. John and Stacey are both Army veterans and the authors of a riveting and award-winning book, "Medals, Flags and Memories," that tells the story of their quest to change the manner in which our nation's fallen heroes are returned to their families. The Holley Provision now provides the dignity and honor of coming home in a private plane and not in a commercial airline cargo hold.
When I think of Gold Star parents, Stacey and John the words courage and honor come to mind tenfold.
The motto of Community 1st Bank is "Doing the Right Thing." On Monday morning it took on a whole new meaning when Senior VP Ron Ouren's headache turned into a medical crisis. When co-workers at the Coeur d'Alene branch noticed he was having difficulty speaking and was exhibiting some paralysis, Ron was rushed to the emergency room at Kootenai Health, where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Ron's not only a great guy, he's in great shape, and not surprisingly was able to talk right after the surgery. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery Ron!
Next time you're in Super 1 Foods in Post Falls check out the beautiful new tile mural that was installed this week. The mural project was created on behalf of the Post Falls Food Bank to recognize all who made a significant contribution to pay off the food bank's mortgage. It was a two-year effort to raise $130,000 and the goal was reached a few months ago. Thanks to the generosity of many, the $1,600 once used to make a monthly mortgage payment now buys food for the food bank's shelves.
Deni Linhart shared a bit of trivia when Silver Mountain celebrated its 45th anniversary last weekend. He was the first paying customer on the lift at the then-named Jackass Ski Bowl on opening day in 1969. The first (and last) time I skied was at Jackass Ski Bowl in 1970. Just couldn't feel the love for plummeting at breakneck speeds on two skies toward certain death, or being cold. To each their own. I'm a lodge skier, enjoying the ambiance by the fireplace.
How strong was the wind on Saturday? Robert and Denise Durflinger found a box spring blown into their front yard and Bryan Williams was predicting his house might have a new address in the morning.
Happy Birthday today to Gayle Erickson, Paula Laws, Kelli Ormesher and Jim Roberge (40!) and tomorrow to Kenny Peterson, Anita Millward, John Keener, Shelly Robson, Kelly Blaski, Charlie Kimball, Mary Mort, Nick Dimico, Bill Miller and Elaine Cook. On Friday Kurt Gomer and Charles Newman will have a slice of cake and Saturday Travis Chaney, Mike Webb, BJ Holinka, Amanda Kralicek, Kristy Walsh, Mike Taylor, Dustin Peacock and Nina Tikalsky will celebrate. On Jan. 19 Austin Isakson, Wade McLean, Gavin Krieg, Terry Drapeau and Johnna Wells blow out their candles. Bob Short is Monday's birthday boy and Chelsea Camarata, Nicole Jones and Mary Crosby will celebrate 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 and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected].