Steadfast devotion

HAYDEN LAKE — Al and Margaret Ogram won't be kicking back or catching up on their yard this Memorial Day Weekend.

Their mission is instead to participate in ceremonies that pay respect to fallen fellow veterans during events in Hayden, followed by another at Garden Plaza in Post Falls.

The Hayden Lake couple wouldn't have the day of remembrance any other way.

"I hope to be at these (veterans events) until I die," Margaret said softly. "The military family is special. I've had other jobs, but they were not about being part of a family. I expect when I die that they'll come play 'Taps' for me, too."

Margaret is behind the playing of "Taps," a bugle call during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. But she's forthright on how it's played.

"I just push a button," she said with a smile.

Al is part of the rifle salutes — when they are permitted.

"When Margie volunteers for four people and it's only her I get to pick up the slack," Al said with a laugh.

The couple are members of the Hayden Veterans Commission that organizes vet-related events, American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Al also assists seniors with computers at the Hayden Senior Center.

Margaret also serves with Catholic War Veterans Post 1950, as the chairwoman for the service providers during the annual North Idaho Veterans Stand Down that assists veteran families and as the chairwoman for the Legion's youth oratorical contest.

It's a spunky schedule for Al, 82, and Margaret, 84.

"It's enough to keep us busy," Al said.

Al served for four years as a guided missile officer in the Army Ordnance Corps between the Korean War and Vietnam War.

"Through great luck I was able to be sent to Germany as we were concerned with Russians coming across the Fulda Gap," he said.

Margaret served in the Air Force for seven years and was an intelligence specialist during the Korean War.

The couple met and were married in Germany.

"One day an Air Force officer showed up and we hit it off," Al said. "She spoke good southern English. We got used to each other."

Margaret admitted it wasn't exactly love at first sight.

"I didn't like him at first," she said. "He asked me about the (blonde) color of my hair and I told him that I didn't think it was any of his business and I didn't care if he liked it or not."

Al added: "She got my attention, to put it mildly."

The two eventually warmed up to each other — Al's roommate was dating Margaret at the time — and the two have been married for 56 years.

"Every day after work my boyfriend would come over and Al would come with him to see what was free to eat or drink," she said. "I was prepared to live well and had a good collection of wine."

Their bond strengthened through the years and that is evident through their volunteer efforts at veterans events and funerals.

"We share many of the same values and goals in life," Al said. "It's really pretty easy."

Margaret estimates the two have participated in the honor guard at 40 funerals for veterans.

"Almost their entire lives are centered around supporting and honoring veterans," said Robert Shoeman, veterans representative at Idaho Department of Labor who is also involved in ESGR.

The Ograms are involved in community veterans-related events throughout the year.

"I even got to be the red elephant who drove Santa Claus in the Christmas parade in Hayden," Margaret said.

Such activities sure beat the alternatives, she said.

"I don't like baking cookies or cleaning house," she said with a smile.

Margaret's family roots of military service date back to the Revolutionary War and Al's to World War I.

"The military is part of my life, and I'm glad to participate in meaningful events," Margaret said. "Memorial Day is a historical memory of what our nation is about."

Al said he hopes the younger generation will step up to carry the torch that recognizes fallen veterans and sacrifices that have been made to defend our freedoms.

"Many of us need to be reminded of those sacrifices," Al said.