Honoring the fallen
From left, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department honor guard members Joshua Hoston, Robert Anderson and Craig Etherton conducted a flag ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Memorial Plaza to honor those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
First responders gathered Sunday morning for a flag ceremony conducted by Coeur d’Alene Fire Department honor guard members, from left, Robert Anderson, Joshua Hoston and Craig Etherton.
COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department honor guard conducted a flag ceremony Sunday morning at the Fallen Heroes Memorial Plaza on Cherry Hill to honor those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
“It’s important to visibly remember the sacrifices of first responders and civilians and make sure that we’re still here,” said fire inspector Craig Etherton.
The memorial honors the nearly 3,000 victims who died in the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. It also has five statues dedicated to Idaho’s police officers and firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
Nearby is the 9/11 Memorial Playground, which features a unique centerpiece: a 10-foot-tall firefighters helmet.
Etherton said the site offers a special way for young people to connect with important history.
“We love to see kids here,” he said.
While the flag ceremony provided a somber moment for reflection, Etherton said the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department keeps the 9/11 victims close with constant reminders, including decals on their vehicles.
“We honor them every day,” he said.
