Memorial Day Parade a huge success

By ELAINE SANDMAN

Staff Writer

Despite the rain, a large crowd of people lined the streets on Memorial Day in anticipation of the annual parade.

Taking shelter under awnings, or using umbrellas and rain gear, the crowd wanted to their respects to the women veterans honored in this year's parade.

With the Color Guard coming down the street, everyone paid respect to the flag. Several groups participated in this year's parade including, Cub Scout pack 188, Boy Scout troop 171, Girl Scout troop 171, Bonners Ferry Badger Band, a Canadian military youth contingent, Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums Band, Disabled American Veterans and Boundary County's oldest veterans showed up in classic cars owned and driven by members of the Rod Benders Car Club.

The Bonners Ferry Army National Guard escorted the Guard's race car transportation vehicle down the parade route. A family honored a veteran who had passed away last year in a special tribute, "In Memory of Grandpa Robert Clegg WWII 1929-2006.

The 4H Road Runners created posters showing women veterans throughout history and the 4H Trail Blazers turned out decked in Red, White and Blue bunting. The Senior Hospitality Center bus cruised by, and members of the Boundary Search and Dive Rescue, as well as various volunteer firefighters thundered down the route waving and tossing candy to the kids along the street.

As the crowd disbanded after the parade, many went on to Grandview Cemetery to share in an emotionally moving experience. The master of ceremonies was Tim Wilson, and the American Legion-VFW performed the flag raising as the Star Spangled Banner was sung by Trygve Aos. The invocation was conducted by Pastor Steve Dornfield, with several patriotic readings including the following one by Baxter Black entitled "The Flag."

'Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Flag that flew over Valley Forge, was torn in two by the Gray and Blue and bled through two world wars. I give the flag that burned in the street in protest, in anger and shame, the very same flag that covered the men who died defending her name. We now stand together, Americans all, either by choice or by birth to honor the flag that's flown on the moon and changed the face of the Earth. History will show this flag stood a friend to the hungry, the homeless and lost that a mixture of men as common as clay valued one thing beyond cost, and they've signed in blood from Bunker Hill to Saigon, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kabul, Bagdad, and Toko Ri. I give you the flag that says to the world each man has a right to be free.'

Guest speakers Evelyn Rae and Margaret Sheridan shared some of the history of those women and men, both past and present, who have served this country and kept us free. Throughout the ceremony, the Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums performed, near the end, the National Guard presented a twenty-one gun salute to honor all veterans, and a moving Taps echoed across the crowded cemetery in closing.