Markers, honors bestowed to veterans interred in Mica Peak Cemetery

SAXBY, Wash. — The rain rolled in as prayers, tears and gratitude poured forth.

A solemn ceremony with about 50 attendees was held Wednesday at Mica Peak Cemetery to honor the service and commemorate the official military marking of gravesites for three veterans who fought in three different wars over a span of roughly 130 years.

"It is with great thanksgiving that we come together today to remember three who have given their lives to serve the rest of us and for many generations before," Bishop Pat Bell, father of Timothy Bell, said as he led the opening prayer.

Timothy Bell served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a lance corporal from summer 1996 to October 1998. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf as a rifleman. His military awards were many: Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksman Badge. He died Feb. 2, 2020.

World War I veteran Elmer Jess was inducted into the Army on March 31, 1918. He served as a private in Company A, 116th Signal Battalion. He died March 5, 1924, at age 33.

Civil War veteran Joseph Phillips enlisted Feb. 7, 1865, in the 44th Infantry, Wisconsin Volunteers. He served in the Quartermaster Department as a mechanic. Discharged Aug. 28, 1865, Phillips died March 8, 1913, at age 89.

Three volleys fired by rifle bearers followed by the bugler's taps rang through the air as raindrops pitter-pattered on tombstones. Ceremonially folded flags and shell casings were given to living relatives and those who could accept the sacred items on behalf of the deceased.

"We gather today to say thank you to Joseph Phillips, Elmer Jess and Timothy Bell," pastor and American Legion Post 14 chaplain David Bruyette said. "We pay tribute to these three men for doing the right things. Out of respect, we honor them with this service, plaques to mark their resting place and a way to keep their sacrifice of service alive."

Timothy Bell's sisters, Bekah Wilson and Rachel Wiggins, traveled from southern Idaho to be at the ceremony.

"It's very special to have everybody come together, it's very awesome," Wilson said. "I was not expecting this many people."

The military markers were installed on the veterans' graves thanks to the efforts of many who tracked down information on the markerless soldiers and generated or gave support, including American Legion Post 14 Adjutant Jerry Staub, Mica Peak Cemetery Association President Bob Burton, T.J. Harris of Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens and Eric English of English Funeral Chapels. 

"It's absolutely stunning," Pat Bell said. "We are so extremely grateful and didn't expect it at all, particularly how the Coeur d'Alene American Legion stepped up since the American Legion down here is dissolved. It was just a phenomenal gift for us. We're very grateful."

Phillips' great-great-granddaughter, Debbie Mitchell of Coeur d'Alene, and her family accepted the ceremonial flag and shell casings in honor of her great-great-grandfather.

“It was superb and beyond expectations,” she said. "The service was emotional. When they were handing out the flags and the shell casings, I teared up. The stone looked better than I had expected."

Phillips is buried with his wife, Harriet Phillips, whose name is also on the plaque. Mitchell said it was gratifying to finally see Phillps' service honored in this way.

"After we left there, I thought, 'This poor man who never even had a marker has this beautiful stone and his name is now recognized,'" Mitchell said. "It’s fulfilling that he is finally recognized."

    Loved ones of Timothy Walter Bell gather around his gravesite Wednesday morning after a ceremony commemorating the installation of a military marker indicating his service in the U.S. Marines. From left: Rowena Edgeman, Bishop Pat Bell, Bekah Wilson, TinaMarie Bell, Tennesy Bunch (in purple), Rachel Wiggins, Stephanie Bell and Mike Bell; and American Legion Post 14 Commander Bob Smee.  

    Post Falls Honor Guard members Greg Munden, Michael O'Donnell and Tim Chandler stand at attention as Sgt. Mason from the Idaho Army National Guard plays taps Wednesday in Mica Peak Cemetery.
  

    Joseph and Harriet Phillips' great-great-granddaughter Debbie Mitchell of Coeur d'Alene places a patriotic wreath on their grave marker Wednesday.
  

    The official military grave marker of World War I veteran Elmer Jess, laid to rest in Mica Peak Cemetery in Saxby, Wash. just across the Idaho/Washington border.

    Steve Hicks, Reed Hicks, Debbie Mitchell, Marshall Mitchell, Kelly Hicks, Sandie Jacobsen, Gale Akers and Terry Stratton, all family of Joseph Phillips.