Boundary County Fire Service Honor Guard organized
Courtesy photo Len Pine, Granite Allinger, Wally Nyberg, Cheryl Jackson, Alan Hamilton, Tony Rohrwasser line up the Honor Guard. Not pictured: Ken Baker.
BONNERS FERRY — For the past few months, folks driving past the main fire station in downtown Bonners Ferry on Friday evenings have witnessed a small but dedicated group of firefighters marching up and down the street with flags and axes with determined looks on their faces.
This is the new Boundary County Fire Chiefs’ Association Honor Guard, and right now they are preparing for their first public appearance on Sunday, Oct. 8, at the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial observance to be held at the main station at 2 p.m.
An Honor Guard is a traditional component of the fire service, organized to help fire agencies appropriately observe the solemnities that come with the life of the firefighter: memorials, funerals, dedications, celebrations. The US flag, of course, is carried prominently, but the honor guard also carries a traditional firefighter remembrance flag, and occasionally state flags as well. Eventually our group here in Boundary County will add ceremonial pikes to accompany the axes, and may even represent Boundary County at regional competitions as their skills develop. In addition to the Fallen Firefighter memorial every October, the group plans to join in at least one of the local parades annually, and be available to serve all of the fire districts here in Boundary County and the surrounding region.
Our Boundary County Honor Guard is a multi-agency effort, with current members from City Fire, South Boundary Fire, North Bench Fire, and Hall Mt. Fire. City Fire Chaplain Len Pine is the Commander of the group; he is joined by Alan Hamilton and Ken Baker from City Fire; Tony Rohrwasser from South Boundary; Cheryl Jackson and Granite Allinger from North Bench; and Wally Nyberg from Hall Mountain. Each member of the Honor Guard must be approved by their department and commit to a three-year term. One of the most important reasons the Guard was formed was to build relationships and strengthen ties between our local agencies. If the camaraderie of the group is any indication, that purpose is being realized.
The Fire Chiefs’ Association purchased the necessary flags, poles, axes, etc. in order to get the group started; now Chaplain Pine is working on finding funds to help obtain uniforms (about $4,200 for seven Class A uniforms) and additional equipment. If you would like to help with this effort, please call Len at 208-946-9761 for more information.
As the weather gets colder and wetter, practices will move inside the fire station, but they will continue year-round. The Honor Guard practices every Friday evening from 6-8 p.m., and the public is welcome to drop in anytime.