Ceremony honors veterans

BONNERS FERRY — The eleventh month, the eleventh day, the eleventh hour. At that time, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., veterans and supporters alike, gathered under the massive flag of Bonners Ferry at Veterans Memorial Park, to celebrate and appreciate, giving honor to all veterans, past and present.

From the podium, placed just behind the hauntingly empty chair honoring those that made the ultimate sacrifice, the Master of Ceremonies retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tim Wilson welcomed the crowd that had gathered, spilling out onto the leaf littered grass hill.

The U.S. Border Patrol performed the Presentation of Colors with a precision and dignity that brightened the overcast, chilly day, with the flags standing stark against the melting snow.

Boundary County Chaplain Len Pine honored the veterans and spectators alike with his powerful voice, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” drowning out the sounds of traffic. The invocation followed, brought by American Legion Chaplain Jaak Sanders. The Pledge of Allegiance was then performed by American Legion Commander Manny Figueroa.

During all of these, the air seemed thick with solemn pride. Emotions ran deep on the faces of the veterans, standing at attention. Some, with shoulders slumped over the years, stood straight once again.

Pine came forward again as the guest speaker. Although he is not a veteran, he expressed that he was honored to be chosen to give the speech, as he came from a family of veterans. In his speech, he addressed a current debate taking place in the country at this time.

“You’ve all seen the headlines lately about football players taking a knee rather than showing respect to our country’s flag and national anthem,” Pine began.

Pine went on to explain, in great detail, the importance of the flag as a symbol of national sovereignty, citing James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. “So why the history lesson?” he asked. “And what does the flag as a symbol of national sovereignty have to do with Veteran’s Day?”

Pine went on the answer the question, including the Oath of the Enlisted, as well as the oath for officers. “These oaths indicate,” he explained, ”that those who take them view the sovereignty of the nation worth dying for.”

“Every soldier, airman, sailor, Marine, and guardsmen wears a flag on their uniform — why? Because it acknowledges to sovereign nation he or she is defending. So violating the flag is not simply a matter of insulting our veterans- though it certainly does that- it is an act of defiance against the nation they faithfully serve,” said Pine. “It is, indeed, a big deal.”

Pine then finished with, “May we be grateful for the sacrifices of those who have defended the sovereignty of our nation from enemies foreign and domestic on this, and every, Veteran’s Day.”

In a touching moment, the poem “A Veteran Died Today” was read. The well known poem was an adaptation from the poem called “Just a Common Soldier,” also known as “A Soldier Died Today,” originally written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt.

“I am more humbled and more honored to be here, before each and every one of you,” said Margaret Pyette, owner of Alley Fabric Nook, when she got to the podium, lovingly holding two quilts that she had made herself.

“You went out … and you served our country, and your families stayed behind, raising the children, whether it was the husband or the wife. But you went out and served our country, and for that, I will be forever grateful,” Pyette said to the watching veterans.

“I started this project with the quilt making when I first opened my business because I wanted something, that was important to me, to give back to the community,” said Pyette.

Pyette’s open expression of love and gratitude was evident on her face and in her words. “The only time somebody knows, out in public, that you are a veteran, is if you have a hat on. And if you do, watch out, because you are going to get a hug from me!” she said. “And you are going to get thanked for your service. Just warning you!”

For a moment the solemn occasion broke into laughter and nods of approval. Pyette continued to explain that the first quilt was to be awarded to 102 year old veteran Hartley King, who was not able to be present. “What an amazing gentleman,” said Pyette. “I know where he is going to be at one o’clock today, so I will go there and surprise him, and honor him with his quilt.”

Next Pyette looked out in the crowd, explaining that the next recipient probably had no idea she was about to be called out. “If I could please, humbly ask Wanda Tucker to come forward to receive her quilt,” she said and was met with a roar of applause.

Tucker approached slowly, hand over her mouth and eyes wide, as Pyette and helpers held the intricate quilt up for her. As Tucker stood in front of the stunning quilt, Pyette said, “I present this to you with all the honor in my heart for the service that you did for this great country.” Then she wrapped Tucker in a huge hug, followed by the quilt itself.

The ceremony was concluded with Pat Warkington coaxing an ethereal rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, followed by Taps, performed by American Legion Past Commander Terry Spence, eliciting tears from several in the audience, including Terry Brannon who lost her veteran husband earlier in the year.

The benediction was performed by Sanders and then the crowd, watched in emotional silence as the colors were retired.

When the ceremony was completed, Pine explained why he was honored to be part of it, despite not being a veteran himself. “Today is a special day for me because of my family’s involvement. The sacrifices that my loved ones have made — they run deeply in our family,” he said. “It’s just incredible to be able to give a little bit back by being a part of this ceremony today.”

For Terry Brannon who lost her husband, Michael Brannon, a Vietnam veteran earlier this year after 22 years of marriage, the ceremony was particularly emotional. “There are people that truly do respect our military and our freedoms that we get. So it was all about our guys, and our freedoms in this country,” she said

American Legion Commander Manny Figueroa reflected on the ceremony. “It’s about honoring veterans, it’s about honoring the sacrifices they have made for this country. As a veteran, I feel honored, but I also feel like I owe a lot to this country because it’s given me the opportunity to serve,” he said.

“I’m very thankful for all of the people that come and say ‘thank you for your service’. It’s humbling,” said Figueroa. “It’s humbling because a lot of the older guys, a lot older than me, never heard that for years. All these guys that were in Vietnam, they came back, they never heard that. It’s nice that the country recognizes their service and appreciates them now.”

Figueroa said that in many other places in the country, they don’t have the kind of great community that we have here. Other places don’t have the Memorial Day parades, or Veterans Day ceremonies. “It’s a great thing.” he said. “We really appreciate the community taking interest in this and supporting the veterans.”

For the audience, those that braved the cold and melting snow, from the young children to those who have seen many Veterans Days come and go, they came for different reasons. Some had family members that were veterans, and many were veterans themselves.

U.S. Army veteran, Joe Hafner was one those, watching from the top of the library stairs. “To honor veterans and Veterans Day, and thank them for their service,” he said about why he attended, “and to remember the guys who didn’t come home — who didn’t make it.”

Of all the reasons, so very personal to each and every person in attendance, Pyette might have summed it up the best in her speech. “My dad will be remembered for many things,” she said, “but being a veteran is the most important.”