PARADE: A standing ovation

We attended our first Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July parade this year and we hope to never miss another. The Hometown Heroes was a home run for this great community. Too bad more communities don’t honor their hometown veterans, firefighters and those brave soldiers who gave the ultimate for their country. Like the parade announcer said, freedom is not free.

We were especially surprised to see Colfax native Cassie Lewis, now Miss Idaho/USA, honored in the parade. What a great young woman who we have known for many years.

The crowd stood in honor of all the heroes for almost the entire parade. There were a lot of tears in many eyes in appreciation of what so many heroes have done for all of us.

Even the fellow next to us in front of the Eagles who booed the Kootenai County Democrats did so with respect.

We will be back next year.

GARY and TRUDY LIBEY

Colfax, Wash.