Celebration of Frank Harwood's life shone a light on bonds we share
Patriot Guard Riders Suzanne "Wind Dancer" Scheidt and Chris "Professor" deGroot stand holding flags along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive during Frank Harwood's procession Friday.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Liz Schnabel holds up a flag to show her support as the celebration of life procession for Frank Harwood passes by Friday morning on Sherman Avenue.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Law enforcement on motorcycles pass by spectators Friday during the procession for Frank Harwood.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Jason Sparks, who was a volunteer firefighter in Kentucky before he moved to North Idaho, salutes the procession for Frank Harwood rolls down Sherman Avenue.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Caleb, Levi, Jacob and Lacie Protopappas honored fallen firefighter Frank
Harwood Friday morning by holding up an American flag along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
A man takes a photo of law enforcement officers on motorcycles making up part of the procession for Frank Harwood Friday and on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
A sign with the words, "God bless our firefighters and police" hangs above those waiting for the procession of Frank Harwood along a stretch of Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
A uniformed embrace takes place during Battalion Chief Frank Harwood's celebration of life ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.
Photo courtesy of International Association of Fire Fighters
Frank Harwood of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue is honored Friday morning during a celebration of life at the Hagadone Event Center.
Photo courtesy of the International Association of Fire Fighters
COEUR d’ALENE — Firefighters from across the country showed up one last time for Frank Harwood as his life was celebrated.
“Instead of mourning, we played some lawn games and just enjoyed each other's company,” Tony Blasick, engineer for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue said. “It's something Frank would have wanted.”
In all, about 800 firefighters were in attendance, some traveling from Boston, New York, Portland and Seattle to be present and remember their fallen brother for the roles he filled for his community as a family man, leader and firefighter.
“It's been truly humbling. The fire family really came together and showed what it means to be fire family,” Blasick said.
Lacie Protopappas made sure Caleb, Levi, Jacob, Seth and Dylan Protopappas brought a large American flag to stand by their grandpa, Alex Calunts, along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
“Once you bleed red and blue, you always bleed red and blue,” Lacie said.
Calunts is a former deputy U.S. marshal and said it was important to be there to honor the lives of the fallen firefighters.
“It’s to show respect for our fallen brothers,” Calunts said.
On the corner of Sherman Avenue and Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, Liz Schnabel stood with her friend, Becky Lee, and said she wasn’t able to attend Thursday’s procession, so she wanted to show her support.
Schnabel’s gotten to know many local firefighters over the course of their daily trips to Fred Meyer, where she works. She wanted to show them she was keeping them in her heart by being there for the procession.
“It’s a tragedy, I have no words,” Schnabel said.
A line of Patriot Guard Riders holding flags curved around the procession path onto Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.
Led by assistant state captains Mary Matthews and Pam Moist, the group held their positions until the procession passed and they were released.
The riders are a motorcycle nonprofit which nationally honor families of fallen military veterans and first responders.
“We feel their grief and pain,” Moist said.
Many members of the riders are veterans, firefighters or retired police officers.
“We’re here to honor our fallen and we’ve got to support one another,” Moist said.
Matthews shared a hope for the warmth from the community to be shown more regularly as a lesson to show love to one another before it’s needed.
“That support should be shown daily and not just when there’s a tragedy that occurs,” Matthews said.
Liz Schnabel holds up a flag to show her support as the celebration of life procession for Frank Harwood passes by Friday morning on Sherman Avenue.
Law enforcement on motorcycles pass by spectators Friday during the procession for Frank Harwood.
Jason Sparks, who was a volunteer firefighter in Kentucky before he moved to North Idaho, salutes the procession for Frank Harwood rolls down Sherman Avenue.
Caleb, Levi, Jacob and Lacie Protopappas honored fallen firefighter Frank Harwood Friday morning by holding up an American flag along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
A man takes a photo of law enforcement officers on motorcycles making up part of the procession for Frank Harwood Friday and on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
A sign with the words, "God bless our firefighters and police" hangs above those waiting for the procession of Frank Harwood along a stretch of Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.
A uniformed embrace takes place during Battalion Chief Frank Harwood's celebration of life ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.
Frank Harwood of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue is honored Friday morning during a celebration of life at the Hagadone Event Center.