Memorial Day brings together thankful citizens, veterans
Photos by LOREN BENOIT/Press Margaret Ogram of Post Falls Post 143 American Legion helps present the colors during Hayden’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Honeysuckle Beach.
U.S. Navy Commander veteran Steven Guzahskis, left, and John Howard, United States Navy Reserve 2nd class, lay the wreath during Hayden’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Honeysuckle Beach.
Bill Gregg, with Bikers Against Teen Addiction and Abuse, places a flower in the wreath before Rathdrum’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Pinegrove Cemetery. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Post 154 Chaplain Helen Kinder tolls the bell in honor of local U.S. Air Force veteran Robert Bassett and U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Dorris during Rathdrum’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Pinegrove Cemetery. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Bo Bohannon, of Athol, salutes the American Flag during the singing of the National Anthem at Rathdrum’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Pinegrove Cemetery. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Members with the American Legion Post 154 stand at attention during Rathdrum’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Pinegrove Cemetery. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
From left, Nathan, Rachel, Cathy and Mark Sescilla, of Rathdrum, sing during Rathdrum’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Pinegrove Cemetery. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
The Hot Punch Highlanders play “Mingulay Bay” at Hayden’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday morning at Honeysuckle Beach. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
WWII submarine veteran Tom DePew tolls the bell during Hayden’s Memorial Day ceremony to honor those killed in action at sea. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Farragut Base Submarine Veterans line up front at the beginning of Hayden’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Honeysuckle Beach. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
The American, POW/MIA and State of Idaho Flags wip in the breeze during Hayden’s Memorial Day Ceremony Monday morning at Honeysuckle Beach. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Soldiers, sailors, families and friends gathered in commemoration of fallen service members across Kootenai County for Monday’s Memorial Day.
“Today’s just about remembering everyone who’s not here,” said Bob McComb, Vietnam veteran and Harley-Davidson owner who rides for those who served. McComb attended Rathdrum’s Memorial Day ceremony at Pinegrove Cemetery on Monday afternoon. “It’s important that everyone comes out to remember the sacrifices, even if it’s just once a year.”
Rathdrum’s annual event drew a crowd of about 130 Monday. Survivors of those killed in action mingled with veterans near the cemetery’s Veterans of Foreign Wars military memorial. The event, sponsored by the city of Rathdrum, American Legion Post 154 and Northwest Guardian Riders, drew spectators from as far as Boise, Enumclaw, Wash., and Chicago.
Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes spoke to the crowd before he and the Northwest Guardian Riders presented the Memorial Wreath.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dee Sasse, a 22-year veteran of the Coast Guard and commander of the Rathdrum American Legion, spoke about the divisiveness of politics and how those serving in the armed forces risk their lives for country over party.
“Labels that we hurl today like Democrat, Republican, red state and blue state matter little when facing mines and machine gun fire while charging a beach or trying to defuse an IED that could kill your entire patrol in Iraq,” she said. “Politics are irrelevant to a family that hears the words, ‘We regret to inform you.’”
Sasse also told onlookers the story of Maj. Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden, Utah, and member of the National Guard who perished last year while serving in Afghanistan.
“When Election Day came,” she said, “so did the honor guard accompanying his remains — the flag-draped casket of Maj. Brent Taylor — husband of one, father of seven and inspiration to millions.”
The event featured a 21-gun salute and a haunting rendition of Taps.
“What a great turnout,” Sasse said after the ceremony. “What a wonderful day, and what wonderful weather we have for this. It’s just a great opportunity for people to come out and celebrate the sacrifice a million people have made in service to their country. I’m very honored to be a part of this.”
Ceremonies swept the county Monday at the Veterans Memorial in Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park, at the Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls, Hayden’s McIntire Park, at Spirit Lake Cemetery and Blanchard Cemetery.
Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts was among 60-plus gatherers at Honeysuckle Beach for a special event remembering 67 submarines and their approximately 3,500 crewmen who were killed in action. The event featured a flag ceremony, a rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by 2016 Hayden’s Got Talent winner Chloe Kelly, a three-volley salute and a performance by the Hot Punch Highlanders.
“It’s one way for us to honor men and women who’ve served this country,” Hot Punch pipe major Kristin Stafford said. “There’s so much we’re thankful for, but we’re tremendously thankful for their service and their sacrifice.”
Retired United States Navy Cmdr. Steven Guzauskis participated in the event, where he and fellow submariners read the names of each submarine and the number of each boat’s crew lost at sea, followed by the tolling of a bell to signify their memories.
“Often, I was my Navy’s target,” Guzauskis explained, “as the Navy practiced hunting submarines. But as a navy officer, I can say we were all in one Navy, fighting together.”
Master Chief Stanton Handley, who served on five different submarines for 33 years, was the keynote speaker of the Honeysuckle event. “Today, we perpetuate the memory of fallen submariners,” he said. “It’s incredibly important that we don’t forget their sacrifice.”