'The fabric of this country'
KEITH COUSINS/Press Attendees watch as Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes leads representatives of Northwest Guardian Riders toward the veterans memorial at Pinegrove Cemetary. The red, white and blue wreath was placed at the memorial during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday afternoon.
RATHDRUM — Mayor Vic Holmes said he is often asked to give remarks of thanks at a variety of events in Rathdrum.
“But none are more important than this one,” Holmes told attendees at Pinegrove Cemetery on Monday. “We are lucky to have what we have, and that people are willing to fight for it and die for it. We are very blessed.”
More than 50 individuals attended a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony, organized by American Legion Post 154, in front of the cemetery’s veterans memorial. Pastor Jared Cooksey, of Lake City Church, gave an opening prayer where he asked for God’s blessing for the friends and family of those who sacrificed their lives defending America.
“We recognize those who gave everything so that we can come together, celebrate, love, worship, and live our lives in freedom,” he said.
Kylie Paquette, a student at Lakeland High School, sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” A wreath of red, white and blue flowers was placed at the memorial by Mayor Holmes and members of the Northwest Guardian Riders.
American Legion Post 154 Commander Dee Sasse, the keynote speaker, told attendees in her remarks that a mother’s pain is one of the most powerful scars of war. To illustrate that point, Sasse read from a poem by Lt. J.H. Wickersham, who was killed in action during World War I on Sept. 14, 1918.
“And, fellows, she's the hero of this great big ugly war, and her prayer is on that wind across the flat,” Sasse read. “And don't you reckon maybe it's her tears, and not the rain, that's keeping up the patter on your old tin hat?”
Sasse said the poem, titled 'Rain on your Old Tin Hat,' could also easily describe the heartache of a wife or sister, as well as the pain of a father or brother. Military families who have lost loved ones, she added, are the fabric of this country.
“We are fortunate to have men and women doing all they can to protect us,” Sasse said. “But it is up to us to remember their sacrifice. Let’s live up to their sacrifice.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, American Legion Post 154 chaplain Paula Atwood tolled a bell to honor and respect the memory of fallen soldiers. The bell tolled two additional times to honor two local veterans who died last year — Bobby Lee Johnston and Morris Slavens.