Neighbors, not militia pitch in and do what needs to be done in Boundary County

 Been reading with a mighty guffaw the “rise of the militia” in Boundary County, and their call to raise arms to help and assist this community in time of need, rallying to the old cries, “family, community, patriotism!”

 Pshaw. I can't speak as a native, having only lived here 20 years, but the citizens of this county are something better than any militia ever could be … they're neighbors.

 I've heard the jokes about people who fall on their knees and cry for help when trouble arises, only to be laughed at by the folks in the next county, who go out and do for themselves, never asking, only doing what needs to be done.

 I've lived places where you had to prove your qualifications to volunteer your help, even while the snowplow going down one side of the street buried the people on the other.

 Here, all that matters is that you help.

 That's what neighbors do, and this is a fine community for allowing that without question.

 “Militia” connotes an idea that wore out years ago, long before this nation was formed. Paul Revere may be the last of this nation's effective militiamen … at least he sounded the call. While lauded for patriotism, the Minute Men were of little effect in that war, or any since, until they gave up their localism and fought for a greater cause.

 Rather than attempt to stir passion and controversy, those who proclaim to have our best interests at heart by prodding us to join their merry band of military men should instead look at the good neighbors around them who are much more heroic without such.

 Look at those who volunteer and train with the fire departments, the ambulance, search and rescue, the police and sheriff's reserve. Look at those who voluntarily run for elected office, giving of their own time to serve the neighbors they appreciate.

 Ain't none of them getting rich … most all of them are, in fact, making a sacrifice to serve. That's what neighbors do.

 Take a stroll up the stairs at the Legion Hall and look at the faces of those who grew up here, coping with and helping their neighbors through flood, fire and famine, only to voluntarily run to answer this nation's call in its time of need. Those on that wall gave their lives in service to their country and their community, but countless more of them them survived the ordeal of this nation's call to arms, and came back home to make this community the place that it is. Our sons and daughters are serving to this day.

 They didn't need rank or title; nor did they need a local militia's flag to rally under to be reminded to do what's right or to protect the rights they cherished and the neighbors they loved. They just did it, because that's what good citizens and good neighbors do.

 I used to boast to no end of what I was going to do when I grew up. My Mom told me to just shut the hell up and do it. I must have been three or four at the time.

 Since being welcomed into this community, I've not heard anyone boast. I've watched and heard my neighbors stand up for themselves and their beliefs, I've watched them plan and prepare for what might lie ahead and watched and helped them get ready. I have been privileged to pitch in and help when the need arose  … but I have never heard any of my neighbors boast.

 My Mom, Dad, three-week old sister and I passed through Bonners Ferry in a red Ford LTD in 1969 on our way to Dad's new duty station in Alaska. I was ten, and I remember we stopped at a local cafe before heading into the wilds of Canada.

 For the life of me, I cannot remember my Mom telling anyone here to just shut the hell up and do what needed to be done.

 Guess she saw then what I do now, all these years later, that the folks here don't need to be told. More likely, though, she did what most people new to or passing through a community did … just kept mind of her own business and kept her own mouth shut.

 I'm awfully glad she taught me that lesson before I moved here, or anywhere else of matter … I'd sure be embarrassed had I just shown up, mouthed off and proved myself an ass before I gave my neighbors the opportunity to figure that out for themselves.

Mike Weland