EDITORIAL: A chance to say thank you

Thank you.

To first responders for all you do and who you are.

Thank you.

To firefighters and police, who put their lives on the line every day.

Thank you.

To this community, for how you've rallied behind our firefighters and frontline responders. 

Thank you.

To all the businesses and people who are quickly raising money to help the families of firefighters.

Thank you.

To all who came out for Tuesday's procession from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene. You lined Interstate 90. You filled overpasses. You stood on Sherman Avenue and Fourth Street, holding flags high. You made your community proud and best, you made firefighters know they are appreciated and loved.

But we are not done. The healing will take time. We will need to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our firefighters and law officers, and support one another. 

We would like to share this thank you from Chris Way, fire chief of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and Tom Greif, fire chief of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. It says well what everyone should know:

As Fire Chiefs you never fully understand, appreciate or can define community support until you see it. Today we saw and understood community support! The process of laying our fallen heroes to rest took another step forward today with the formal processional from the Medical Examiner’s office in Spokane back to Coeur d’Alene. This important tradition allowed the families and our firefighters to remember and honor the incredible husbands, fathers, men and leaders that they were.

The procession spanned 40 miles and not one bridge overpass, exit, street or parking lot was empty! Our incredible communities showed their respect with signs, flags, waves and cheers. To say we felt the love would be an understatement! Please know this and all of the other incredible displays of the affection you have for YOUR first responders is second to none and it does not go unnoticed.

We would also like to thank our incredible Law Enforcement partners in Idaho and Washington. This morning’s effort to honor our fallen was nothing short of extraordinary. Your seamless coordination and your brotherhood/sisterhood was and is appreciated!

The eye of the nation has once again fallen on Coeur d'Alene. We are confident that through this tragedy, it will see a beautiful place. This is a resilient and strong town. It has faced adversity before and it will face it again. As always, we stand together.