A somber Sunday

BONNERS FERRY — On the eleventh month, the eleventh day, at 11 a.m., people gathered in the Veterans Memorial Park on a chilly day, to remember and honor veterans, past and present, on the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice of World War I.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tim Wilson was the Master of Ceremonies, and he introduced Ray Harris, Sergeant of Arms, Post 55, who performed 21 bell chimes, in lieu of the 21 gun salute.

American Legion Commander Manny Figueroa posted the colors, as veterans stood at attentions, backs straight, standing tall with pride. American Legion Chaplain Jaak Sanders then said an invocation, as heads then bowed across the semicircle of people in attendance.

Rebecca Huseby performed the “Star Spangled Banner,” inviting everyone to join along, asking the crowd how long it had been since people had actually sung the patriotic song. The crowd started tentatively, then gathered strength like a wave that washed over those in attendance.

Guest Speaker retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Rae took to the podium and brought a chuckle to crowd as he talked about his recent visit to Valley View Elementary School for Veterans Day. One student asked him, while he was in the Army, did he ever get visited by the government. Another student innocently mistook a vet as a veterinarian, and asked if he ever treated animals in Africa.

Rae also spoke about the percentage of our nation’s citizens who have served in the armed forces, quoting the number to be around 1-2 percent.

“I confess I do not know what the correct percentage is, but it is certainly in the low single digits, especially as the generations of the millions who served in World war II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War proceeds into eternity and the population of our country is different,” Rae said.

Rae went on to explain that he believed that Boundary County was different, using his graduating class as an example. He shared that his Bonners Ferry High School class of 1987 had around 100 students, and of those, he knew of 16 that went on to join the armed forces, and he read those names.

“It’s an honor,” Rae said after the ceremony, about being chosen to speak. “I’m from Bonners Ferry and Boundary County. I’ve lived here since 2012, a little over six years and I know a lot of the veterans that show up here, and it was a good chance to honor them individually.”

Margaret Pyette took to the podium with her two intricate, patriotic, handmade quilts that she then presented to U.S. Navy veterans, Don Carter and William Roady. Pyette’s speech came from her heart, and with no notes in front of her, she evoked emotions from misty eyes to laughter from the crowd of veterans and civilians.

“You are all out there doing your part willingly to protect our country to make it so that we can be the land of the free because you were the brave,” said Pyette to the veterans around her. “I am again humbled and honored to be standing here in front of all of you. You have no idea how important you are to me. Everyday you are in my prayers and I thank God for each and everyone of you.”

As the ceremony drew to a close, people trickled down off the grassy hill to grasp veteran’s hands, thanking them for their service.

“A lot of us think about how many people in this country who have stood up and said ‘I’m going to serve; I’m going to do this; I’m going to serve my country,’ knowing that you might not come back,” said Figueroa after the ceremony. “I’m very fortunate and I’ve served with great people.”

“For me, as a 17 year old kid joining the Marine Corps, it was a great experience,” Figueroa continued. “It pretty much set the path for me for my future. They gave me discipline. It gave me motivation in everything that I’ve done; I’ve never regretted the decision.”

“It’s a humbling day,” said Figueroa. “It is. It’s a humbling day.”