Post Falls Memorial Day event honors the fallen
<p>Post Falls veteran Anton Rasmusson, 90, of Post Falls looks over Letters from a soldier poster. Rasmusson was at Iwo Jima and witnessed the famous photo that epitomizes WWII Marine Corps service in the Pacific. He is shown here with friend Ardella Quaale of Post Falls.</p>
<p>Girls from the Saint Dominic Choir sing at the Post Falls Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.</p>
<p>Veteran of the Year Harold Markiewicz speaks during the Post Falls ceremony and dedicates his words to his friend Ervin Paszek. Paszek was killed Sept. 10, 1962, when he and others aboard a plane crashed into Mount Kit Carson near Spokane on their way to Fairchild Air Force Base. "I miss him, I wish we’d have been together longer, but he went his way and I went mine," said Markiewicz.</p>
POST FALLS — American flags stood tall over the military graves in Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls on Monday.
The flags waved in the soft breeze that carried the sweet voices of St. Dominic's Choir as it sang patriotic hymns such as "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful."
Well more than 100 people, many in uniform, veterans caps or their Sunday best, assembled in Evergreen to honor America's veterans and fallen service men and women during a Memorial Day ceremony led by American Legion Post 143.
The featured speaker was Post 143's Veteran and Legionnaire of the Year, Air Force vet Harold Markiewicz, who dedicated his words to his friend and colleague Airman First Class Ervin Paszek. Paszek was killed Sept. 10, 1962, when he and others aboard a plane crashed into Mount Kit Carson near Spokane on their way to Fairchild Air Force Base.
"There were no survivors," Markiewicz said. "We lived in the same barracks, ate the same food, turned wrenches on the same aircraft until he was transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota ... I miss him, I wish we’d have been together longer, but he went his way and I went mine. One day, I’ll see him."
Many more stories of friendship, love, loss and honor were shared at the service, where wreaths were laid at the Veterans Memorial Monument in recognition of the sacrifice made by so many. Honor guards from Post 143 and 154 presented a rifle salute and toward the end of the ceremony, Post 143 Commander Dennis Wheeler and Vice Commander Doug Wheeler tolled the cemetery bell for the veterans of all ages that North Idaho lost in the past year.
"They always do a beautiful ceremony," said Air Force wife Angela Thomas of Coeur d'Alene. "It’s nice to see the young people, the children, who are being taught by their parents what this means and what the flags mean. I feel that’s really important to do. We can't let the children forget what these vets did for them. They might be great-grandparents, but they did great things for them. It’s also really nice to see the young people acknowledge the older living vets. They walk up and they may salute them or shake their hands, but it’s wonderful to see."
Markiewicz said he appreciates that so many people attended.
"They show that they care," he said. "Being on the Honor Guard brings me great happiness to honor those who have passed.”