Memorial Day celebrated in Boundary County

BONNERS FERRY — Memorial Day may be the day to honor military service members who have passed, but honoring Boundary County’s deceased veterans began early at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry on Friday, May 24, as the American Legion Post 55 organized flag plants at veterans’ headstones.

American Legion Junior Vice Chair Robert Rains helped organize the event and thanked community members and groups for coming out to plant flags and honor county veterans. 

“A heartfelt thanks and Bravo Zulu to Si Thompson and Tiffani Beggerly who led and supervised members of Scouts BSA Troop 114G (an all-girls troop), Scouts BSA Troop 114B (an all-boys troop), and Cub Scouts Pack 114,” he said. 

Bravo Zulu is the combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, also referred to as "BZ," and a naval signal, typically conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio, meaning "well done" with regard to actions, operations or performance of duty.

On the new side of the Grandview Cemetery a hearty Bravo Zulu for volunteering in the placement of small U.S. flags on veterans interred there. Rains gave kudos to Kelly Hinthorn and members of her Boundary County Middle School leadership class and Marie Garrett and her 4-H members.

Also assisting were Ken Irons, U.S. Army and Korean War veteran; Jon-Paul Mickle, USAF (retired), and his wife Jennifer; Dr. Mark Barker, U.S. Army veteran; and Craig Kelson, Idaho Army National Guard veteran.

“A grateful heartfelt thanks to all of the above for your patriotic volunteering in honoring the over 800 veterans who have been laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery,” Rains said. 

On Monday, downtown Bonners Ferry was flooded with spectators for the annual Memorial Day parade. Community members waved and thanked veterans who were in the first float. 

Many of the floats carried signs thanking those who served, and those who didn’t make it home. 

At the Boundary County Memorial Park in downtown Bonners Ferry, the following names of residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice are etched in stone so they can be remembered by the community.

World War I — John A. Eickhammer, 1918; Orville J. Brant, 1918; William H. Atkins, 1918; Louis F. Stone, 1918; Henry Nelson, 1918; Ralph C. Fisher, 1918; Charles L. Zimmerman, 1918; Carlisle Smith, 1919.

World War II — Gordon W. Marcy, 1942; R. Carl Slater, 1942; Raymond Galbraith, 1943; Russel WIlson, 1943; Harold R. Douglas, 1943; Robert S. Johnson, 1943; Rodrick T. Hill, 1943; Dorvill (Jack) Walter, 1943; Floyd C. Suthard, 1943; Walter R. Hendricks, 1943; Burness McFarland, 1943; Wm. Robert Armstrong, 1944; Cecil J. Winter, 1944; Williams C. Fee, 1944; Carl L. Skans, 1944; Cecil M. Lanningan, 1944; Eugene E. Rogers, 1944; Charles Watters, 1944; Robert E. Litalien, 1944; Richard R. Knoles, 1944; Robert A.Gross, 1944; Williams L. O’Brien, 1944; Lyle McGlocklin, 1944; Arthur R. King, 1944; Leon E. Strand, 1944; Cecil R. Welchko, 1944; Harry Swagger, 1944; Andrew A.Middlemist, 1945; Eldon L. Clark, 1945; Charles S. Lamson, 1945; Paul E. Scheffner, 1945; Walden (Pete) Lathrom, 1945; Arthur R. Rogers, 1945; Eldon D. Howard, 1945; Earl L. Yeoumans, 1945; Harold K, Fredricksen, 1945; Ferol Z. Girton, 1947.

Korea — David L. Graham, 1951; Richard E. Wallen, 1952; Robert D. McDonal, 1952.

Vietnam — Keith L. Shipp, 1966; Thomas L. Peterson, 198; Donald R. Thompson, 1968; Robert W. Hansen, 1969; Phillip A. Nichols, 1970; Michael H. Richards, 1971.

Afghanistan — Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, U.S. Army, Oct. 3, 2009; Cpl. Ethan J. Martin, U.S. Army, Aug. 7, 2012.

    Boundary County Middle School Leadership class members stand with (right) Robert Rains, Junior Vice Commander of the American Legion Post #55 after placing flags on Veteran graves at Grandview Cemetery on Friday, May 24.