Dedication to protect and serve humbles

Sgt. Greg Moore has put on the uniform of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department for 16 years. He's a husband and a father who, like all of those who make a career of public safety, protects and serves his community.

Like most of you, I was home sleeping while Sgt. Moore and his fellow officers in agencies throughout the county were patrolling neighborhoods with a watchful eye. It's what they do, every day, every night. I'm grateful for each and every officer who takes the oath to keep the peace. I'm humbled by their dedication. I'm also praying for Sgt. Moore and his family and for all of those who know that any day, any shift, in any community such a senseless act of violence can happen, but they put on the uniform despite that knowledge. God bless Sgt. Moore.

We moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1965 when I was in the eighth grade, migrating from California before that was the norm. I have never known a time in all those years when Scott Reed wasn't a fixture in the community, especially downtown where he hung his law shingle. Before I knew of advocacy or much about politics, Mr. Reed the attorney was, as his son Bruce has been quoted in recent years, tilting at windmills. I could relate as I was the daughter of a man who also tilted at a windmill or two in his day.

In the last decade or so I've come to know Mary Lou Reed and to appreciate her wit and warmth and friendship. She and Scott were a great team and I'm sad for her to continue this journey without him. Our communities have lost a combined 276 years of life in public service in a week's time with the passing of Gladys Schneidmiller, Frank Henderson and now Scott Reed. Their legacies provide a blueprint for making a difference decades after society's focus on youthful accomplishments.

Last year my husband Bert and I stepped down after a quarter century of directing the annual Post Falls parade. Many of our parade committee friends had been with us for most, if not all, of those years and they too retired from parade duty. Until a month or two ago it looked as if the parade might not take place in 2015 as no group or individual had come forward.

At not quite the 11th hour but pretty darn close, Scot Haug and Warren Merritt agreed to take the helm. You may be more familiar with Scot and Warren as Post Falls Chief of Police and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Fire Chief, respectively, but this venture is in their capacity as community members.

They've set up Post Falls Community Ambassadors LLC, secured parade sponsors and put together a core group of merry volunteers. I couldn't be happier to turn over my clipboard and whistle to these two great guys and cheer for them from the sidelines on July 11. Parade applications are at www.postfallsfestival.com or on the Post Falls Festival Parade Facebook page.

Local non-denominational National Day of Prayer events will be held on Thursday at noon in the Post Falls City Hall plaza and at the Veterans Memorial at McEuen Park in Coeur d'Alene. I know many of us will be saying an extra prayer for all of those in uniform who protect and serve our communities.

The annual North Idaho Veterans Stand Down is Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and will celebrate all veterans and their families. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be service providers, employers and games for the kids. For more information on the Stand Down or veteran assistance call Eric Swanbeck, St. Vincent de Paul Veteran Services Coordinator, at (208)704-0548.

A couple of fun events to share with your mom on Saturday. The historic Jacklin Arts and Culture Center in Post Falls is holding a Mother's Day Tea, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., which includes light lunch and entertainment. 773-5016.

The third annual Love Your Library Concert with Ruth Pratt and BoKatz in the Coeur d'Alene Library Community Room at 6:30 p.m. 769-2380.

Sunday is Mother's Day and the Post Falls Lions club will host its annual Mother's Day Breakfast at the Post Falls Senior Center from 7 to 11 a.m.. Moms are treated to breakfast, others are $5. American Legion Post 143 on Poleline and Syringa will also treat mothers to breakfast on Sunday from 8-11 a.m., others $7. The Coeur d'Alene Eagles treat mothers to breakfast on Sunday, 9 to 11 a.m., others $7.

Happy birthday today to Tamatha Dougal, Kristi Pope, Connie Clark, Steve Eachon, Jeff Rhodes, Meagan Guerreo, Dave Tester, Jerry Shriner, Karen Ouren and Kathy Sims. Tomorrow, Chris Moore, Randy Williams, Pete Shepperd, Kathie Brack, Lisa Aitken, Rob Rinard, Jr., Rena Pruitt, Ramona Kaiser, David Dasher and Phil Pyseky blow out the candles.

Wish Olivia Backs, Matt Barkley, Julie Adamchak, Aaron Calkins, Tiffany Teal, Dave Walker, Lindsey Sales, Nic Riorden and Jared Raynor a happy birthday on Friday.

On Saturday, Tara Dagastine, Carrie Holdren, Valerie Emery, Bonnie Clark, George Larsen and Carla Noonan are putting on their party hats.

Coltan and Cadan Virgil, Shelly Servick, Don Smock, Shelly Matthews, Pearl Bouchard, David Dickinson (16!), Margie Adams, Zena Baltzell, Bonnie McDowell and Ginger Cutler have Mother's Day birthdays this year.

On Monday, Anne Hagman, Debra Altman, Anthony Skarisky, Stephanie Knox and Sharon Culbreth take another trip around the sun. Mary Rawlsky, Allison Cook, Lynette Walsh, Bob Hoskins, Jason Penzkover, Craig Ziegler, Olivia Jacobsen, Wyatt Dickinson (13!) and Jon Brewer will celebrate their birthdays on May 12.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.