Freedom's cost borne by hometown heroes
Kerri Thoreson
As we prepare to celebrate America’s 248th anniversary of independence we need also to remember over two centuries of selfless service to country by those who left it all on the battlefield.
“That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” — President Abraham Lincoln
In memory and with gratitude to Nick Newby and Nathan Beyers who gave their last full measure of devotion for the cause of freedom July 7, 2011, in Bagdad, Iraq. This community will never forget their sacrifice or the heartbreak that will never feel like a long time ago to their Gold Star families. Their sacrifice will always feel like just yesterday.
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PSA: About a month after my mid-May birthday I realized that my driver’s license had expired this year! My husband checked his and it had expired on his birthday the first week of June!
The first available appointment to renew was over a week away. But I’m happy to report that we’re both legal drivers now.
I did learn that sometime in the past four years the driver’s license bureau stopped mailing out renewal reminders. I also learned that after the age of 70, you cannot renew online, only in person so you can take the required eye test. After the age of 63, you can renew your license every four years, the eight-year renewal option is for drivers ages 21-62.
Moral of the story: Check your driver’s license expiration date before every birthday and don’t wait until the last minute to get an appointment with the driver’s license bureau. They don’t take walk-ins and they don’t send out reminders.
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Mom of three, Rose Backs, was not amused to see her first Back-to-School ad the third week of June at the official start of summer.
“I refuse to consider it!” she declared as she went on to enjoy the season.
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On July 13 at 10 a.m., the Post Falls Festival Days Parade is happening on Seltice Way between Spokane and Idaho streets. Have the kids bring a bag for the thousands of pounds of candy that will be distributed by the entrants along the route!
On July 20, Rathdrum celebrates with fun activities including a parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street. For the fourth year, I’ll be announcing one of my favorite small-town parades.
Set aside July 27 for the Hayden Days parade at 10 a.m. on Government Way, with other activities taking place at McIntire Family Park.
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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Morgan Snider (30!), Jeff Ward and Mark Durant. Tomorrow, Uncle Sam and the United States of America (248 years!), Jedidiah Riley, Brent Regan, Jennifer Locke, Joscelyn Ramsey, Jake Campbell, Keri Roybal, Dan Brockway, Sr., MaryBeth Matthews, Dick Lind, Tyson Chamberlain, Britnee Davenport, Jack Smetana, Glenda Johnson, Amber Hunt, Teresa Espe, Orla Kahl and father and daughter KD and Keely Spalding are celebrating star-spangled birthdays. On Friday, Steve Hanson, Laurie Schwenke, John Beutler, Chris Hollibaugh, Kaila Hansen and Amy Dreps blow out their candles. Saturday birthdays belong to Alivia Lickfold, Barb McCarley (60!), Bill Brooks, Wade Jacklin, Suzanne Holland and Robin Ducote. Happy July 7 birthdays to Becky Lee, Renei Yarrow, Susie Jameson, Devon Dixon, Jeff Populus, Tim Adams and Susie Sullivan. On Monday, Taryn Post, Samantha Babich, Peter Finney, Bev Hammond, Dawson Brown, Ron Jacaban, Beverly Knapp and Carrie Erickson put on their party hats. Tucker Morrison, Madison King, Jenny Seaman, Brooke Bowers, Loren Mitchell, Brooke Hell, Jenny Joyner and Renee Christensen have their cake and eat it, too, Tuesday.
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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email rkthor52@aol.com.