Keough, community honor veterans

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Boundary County residents, community leaders, and veterans from three wars united in silence at the Veteran’s Memorial Park downtown Bonners ferry, honoring the living and those who’ve died in the line of duty.

Guest speaker District 1 Sen. Shawn Keough stood with more than a 100 area residents, falling silent at 10:55 a.m., during the presentation of the American flag led by the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard.

At exactly 11 a.m, American Legion Post 55 Sergeant at Arms Raymond Harris, led the tolling of the Armistice bell.

According to American Legion Post 55 Commander Ken Tolline, Veterans Day, was originally known as Armistice Day. The Armistice agreement, a truce between warring countries of World War I, was signed in 1918 in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In 1938, Congress passed an act officially recognizing Armistice Day as a legal holiday to honor all World War I veterans. Tolline said in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars, which included World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

“We start 10:55 a.m. in order to have the color guard in place for the ringing of the Armistice bell,” Tolline explained to the Herald.

Toline led Veterans and community members in the Pledge of Allegiance, Pastor Harold Yoder gave the invocation, and Fr. Gregory Horton gave the benediction.

Toline led the dedication of the 13 new flags and poles that now arc the existing 50-foot-by-30-foot American flag at Veterans Memorial Park. One Prisoners of War tribute flag flies centered between 12 American flags.

The flags and poles were installed on Oct. 20, just in time for this year’s Veteran?s Day ceremony. The county purchased the new poles and flags for the veterans of American Legion Post No. 55. Members of the county, veterans from three wars, and Bonners Ferry Border Patrol Explorers Post No. 190 installed the poles.

On behalf of Post 55 and county veterans, Toline thanked everyone responsible for the flags and poles.

“The veterans of this county, and of this great country, have been honored here today, by the addition of 13 new flagpoles,” he said. “We would be remiss if we did not mention those who so selflessly gave their time and efforts to make prestigious memorial come to fruition. Our Boundary County Commissioners, Dan Dinning, Walt Kirby, and LeAlan Pinkerton. Glenda Poston, our County Clerk, whose tenacity in seeing this project through, was only surpassed by her desire to honor the Boundary County veterans. To the Border Patrol Explorer scouts, who gave their time to assist in the installation of the flagpoles. Their involvement was assurance that the torch of freedom will be carried forward by their generation. Last, but surely not least, our friend, and fellow patriot, John Buckley, who from the inception of this idea, took the lead, did most of the research, the logistics, not to mention most of the physical effort it took to install the addition to this beautiful memorial. Our sincere appreciation and gratitude are given humbly to you.”

Rebecca Huseby sang the National Anthem, the Bonners Ferry High School Chorus performed a patriotic music medley, and Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

During the presentation of veterans quilts, Margaret Mellet selected U.S. Navy Captain Leonard LeShack and Evelyn Rae as this year’s honored recipients. Both LeShack and Rae were chosen because this year is the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Captain LeShack served in the U.S. Navy and Rae served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp during the Vietnam era.

Veterans of Post 55 in turn honored Mellet with a surprise plaque of appreciation. Mellet has crafted quilts for area veterans for six years.

John Tucker escorted Mellet to the podium to receive her plaque of recognition.

“Now you’ve done it — you’re all going to make me cry, now,” Mellet said.

Tolline expressed gratitude on behalf of Boundary County veterans.

“Margaret, for the past six years, on Veterans Day, you have honored us by presenting handmade quilts to veterans,” Tolline said. “These beautiful quilts not only warmed the veterans’ bodies that received them, but have warmed the hearts of all of us that have served. Today, we wish to honor you with this plaque in recognition of your continuous dedication and devotion to veterans of Boundary County.”

Post 55 also recognised the late Lt. Col. Charles Richard Bliss by presenting his son, Jack Bliss, with a flag and certificate, commemorating his honorable and heroic service. Lt. Col. Bliss, United States Army Air Corps., was a World War II veteran, and B-17 bomber pilot who served from 1939 to 1946.

Jack Bliss and his brother Cory had grown up hearing their father’s war stories, but it wasn’t until after his death in 1990 that they discovered how impressive his service was. Lt. Col. Bliss had lost some medals and was never presented others. So, the brothers contacted U.S. Army officials and Post 55. The Army replaced his medals and this Veterans Day, Post 55 honored their father with a flag and certificate.

Lt. Col. Bliss flew 51 missions in the North African Theatre during World War II. He was the recipient of the distinguished Flying Cross, nine air medals for valor, the European-African-Mid Eastern Campaign medal, a World War II medal, National Defense medal, and the American Campaign medal.

Cory Bliss said the two brothers have been researching their father’s history since 1994.

“It’s been a long process getting this flag and our father’s medals,” Cory Bliss said.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Jack Bliss said. “It’s been an honor being here. He’s smiling down on us, today.”

Former Lt. Col. Tim Wilson introduced guest speaker Sen. Keough, who expressed sincere gratitude, admiration and concern for all veterans.

“At times like these, words seem so inadequate to properly convey sincere appreciation to our veterans and to their families,” Keough said.

In her speech, Keough emphasised the importance of serving those who have served us.

“We should be making sure our veterans have a roof over their heads, access to health care in a timely manner, access to mental health care, assistance to find jobs after their service,” she said. “Our veterans are our heroes. They give their service, put their lives on the line, and, if they’re lucky, they come home. And then they are are scout leaders, our law enforcement, our firefighters, our business owners, our employees, our teachers. We must never forget, and forever honor, our veterans, who today, and every day, and over the years, have given us their sacrifice, and in some case their lives to allow us to live free.”