Warriors among us
Youth Pathfinder Academy-North Idaho member Tim Hess, 16, of Post Falls, gets smashed in a “battle ball” Saturday morning during the Idaho Army National Guard’s second Coeur d’Alene Warrior Challenge in McEuen Park. “You get to run into people as hard as you can and knock them over,” Tim said.
Master Sgt. Sean Rash shares information and history about the National Guard as recruits, cadets and members of the Youth Pathfinder Academy - North Idaho stand at attention Saturday morning in McEuen Park at the opening of the Idaho National Guard Warrior Challenge. The Warrior Challenge served as training for the National Guard while giving members of the public the opportunity to participate in National Guard activities such as obstacle courses, paintball and archery. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Army Cadet Maille Mathieu loads a bow for a very curious Sadi Lewis, 2, of Hayden, during the Idaho National Guard Warrior Challenge in McEuen Park on Saturday. The day consisted of National Guard training as well as activities for civilians and opportunities to meet National Guard members and learn more about their work. Photos: DEVIN WEEKS/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — In the event of a disaster, the Idaho Army National Guard is prepared.
“When the freedom bell tolls, we answer that call in whatever factor they need us in, whether it’s state, or federal emergencies or wartime service,” Master Sgt. Sean Rash said Saturday morning.
National Guard members have been known as minutemen and militia in the military organization’s long history, which dates back to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636.
“We are the oldest military organization in the United States,” Rash said. “We were there on the grounds and fired the shot heard around the world. We were there when we invaded Normandy. We were there in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.
“We’re there, and we’ve always been there.”
Rash shared this National Guard history during the opening ceremony of the Idaho Army National Guard’s second Coeur d’Alene Warrior Challenge in McEuen Park.
The Warrior Challenge took over the park with obstacle courses, a paintball arena, huge military vehicles and other free, family-friendly activities that community members could participate in as National Guard recruits and cadets — along with members of the Youth Pathfinder Academy-North Idaho — competed in athletic and military tasks and battled for the title of “Top Spartan.”
“We just walked by and they invited us over. We didn’t know it was happening,” said Traci Lewis of Hayden.
Traci visited the park with husband Joshua and daughter Sadi, 2, who was given a lesson in archery with Army Cadet Maille Mathieu.
“It’s really fun,” Joshua said, watching as his daughter inspected a bow and pulled back the string. “Her grandfather does archery and hunting, so I’m sure he’s going to be really proud.”
Suzanne Knutson of Coeur d’Alene is an Idaho Army National Guard mom whose son, Jack, joined last year.
“He decided on the Army National Guard because they have a recruit sustainment program and he felt he would be the best prepared for his Army training if he drilled with the Army National Guard,” she said. “Kids, they join the Army and they don’t even know what they’re doing. This way, they’re better prepared.”
The local Army National Guard unit is based in Post Falls. Many of its members have already served in a branch of the military and are now considered “citizen soldiers.”
“We’ve got a lot of sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, that wear this uniform today serving your state,” Rash said. “We’re proud to wear this uniform ... What makes us proud is the fact that we’re silent. We serve alongside you. We work with you in your companies, your jobs. We go to school with you, go to church with you.”
The men and women of the National Guard drill once a month and for three weeks each summer, keeping sharp their emergency preparedness and response protocol.
“We’re ready to respond to any crisis that might arise,” said Sgt. Andrew Enriquez. “We train to the same standard as active duty soldiers.”
The Youth Pathfinder Academy-North Idaho is a military program mentored by the National Guard for youths 14 to 18.
Winston Durham, 17, has been in the program for about a year. He and Pathfinder colleague Kyler Lord, 16, assisted civilians with the inflatable obstacle course for part of the day.
Winston said the Army National Guard is different from other branches of the military.
“You’re actually in public and you interact with people every month,” he said. “Sometimes we do different training. Last month we went to the bridge on the Spokane River and did some water training.”
He said it’s important for people to engage with the National Guard “so they know what we do and why we’re here.”