For those who answer the call

Although in my 40+ years in journalism, I've written over a million words, I find myself at a loss in recent days. There are no words to accurately describe our community's collective feeling of heartbreak and trying to make sense of the senseless loss of good men whose profession was to literally save lives. Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Battalion Chief John Morrison were not just respected by their colleagues, but also for their community service outside their jobs. Their loss is profound for their families and friends. The ripples of their absence will be felt for years.

I’m not at all surprised by the outpouring of kindness and generosity of the people of our communities toward the families and first responders. We’ve seen these qualities displayed often in our little corner of the world.

With Coeur d’Alene Firefighter David Tysdal still hospitalized, his survival is a glimmer of hope in these hard days to come. Continued prayers for his recovery are sincerely offered and encouraged.

On Sunday night, late, while still trying to wrap my head and heart around what had happened, I was humbled to realize that on that first night and every shift since, the fire stations of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department were staffed. Through their own heartbreak and anxiety, the men and women in the fire service stood at the ready, without hesitation, to answer a call for us all, the public.

The only thing I can do to truly honor Frank and John’s lives is to strive to be a person deserving of such selfless devotion from those who, despite risk, continue to answer a call for help.

God bless all who mourn.

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As we prepare to celebrate America’s 249th anniversary of independence, we need to remember over two centuries of selfless service to the 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 of 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 Baghdad, 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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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Tonya Glinsky, Jim Dennison and Ted Wright. Tomorrow, Morgan Snider, aka Baby Bennett’s mama, Jeff Ward and Mark Durant mark another year. On Friday, Uncle Sam and the United States of America (249 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 Saturday, Steve Hanson, Laurie Schwenke, John Beutler, Chris Hollibaugh, Kaila Hansen and Amy Dreps blow out their candles. Sunday birthdays belong to Alivia Lickfold, Barb McCarley, Wade Jacklin, Suzanne Holland (70!) and Robin Ducote. Happy July 7 birthdays to Becky Lee, Renei Yarrow, Susie Jameson, Devon Dixon (21!), Jeff Populus, Tim Adams and Susie Sullivan. On Tuesday, Taryn Post, Samantha Babich, Peter Finney, Bev Hammond, Dawson Brown, Ron Jacaban, Beverly Knapp and Carrie Erickson put on their party hats.

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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 thoreson.kerri@gmail.com.