A tribute to fallen heroes

Boundary County Wall of Honor being dedicated

Ray and Beth Holmes, whose son is serving on active duty, are creating a "Wall of Honor" recognizing all Boundary County service men and women. They're asking that everyone bring in framed photos of those serving in the Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force to Mugsy's. All photos will, eventually, be returned. To find out more, call (208) 267-8059.

To view the on-line Wall of Honor, click here

While far away from the scenes of disaster in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania,

the people of Boundary County, like most around the nation and around the world, are filled with sadness, dismay, anger and a bewildering myriad of terrible emotions in the wake of the senseless tragedy that befell not only the victims of those unconscionable acts of terrorism, their families and their loved ones, but all of us who are citizens of this great nation. September 11, 2001, will live forever in our memories.

We, like millions around the world, feel the helplessness of being so far away. Our gestures of help, of showing solidarity with those who are suffering, seem so futile, yet we cannot do nothing. Perhaps no one feels this helplessness as do those who devote their lives to easing pain and suffering, our emergency service providers.

Doug Massey, a volunteer firefighter with the Paradise Valley Volunteer Fire Department, woke Thursday, September 13, to his wife's tears. She was crying as the numbness and shock gave way to grief. He had to do something.

At 8 a.m., he called the sheriffs department and sent out a call to all EMS providers in Boundary County. Two hours later, over 50 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers and search and dive rescue personnel from one end of Boundary County to the other brought their units together and, led by Bonners Ferry Police Chief David Kramer, solemnly formed in respectful procession through this small town in remembrance of the EMS providers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their effort to ease the suffering of others.

After news of the tragedy reached this remote corner of the nation, Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell

Kerby wrote a statement on the terrorist attack, and he read that statement before the assemblage.

"As America reels with shock and disbelief at the ferociousness and cowardice of the indiscriminate killing and maiming that has unfolded before our eyes and ears by the screaming electronic media, people on the street here in Bonners Ferry, a small town located in rural North Idaho, have already come up to me as Mayor and asked, 'how can I help?'

"Indeed, donation stations have already been set up all over our community for the American Red Cross and this only hours after the event.

"As the President of the United States addresses the nation, stating that America will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice, I cannot help but wonder if those who are responsible failed to learn from history what happened to American resolve following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

"If the immediate and unselfish response to help that the people on the street in our small town is duplicated across this nation, I would say that a giant has awakened.

"Our City's heart and soul goes out to mourn and pray for those so brutally affected by this cowardly act. God bless America."

Massey called upon the men and women assembled, many with their children, to remember those who had fallen in the line of duty. Despite the grief and horror, he reminded us, the tragedy has, indeed, awakened the resolve of a great nation. "In all its horror," he said, "this terrible tragedy has brought us all together. Not since 1941 have we, as a nation, been so tested, and now, as then, we've shown just how strong, how caring, we are."

Volunteer EMT Al Amato, who has given much in his 15 years with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, gave an impassioned speech.

"There is no greater love," he said, "than that one lay down his life for another. These were our brothers and sisters, people who, like us, dropped everything to go to the aid of those who were suffering. They gave their own lives to help, and in so doing, they've become an inspiration to us. Like us, they no doubt felt fear on their way to the scene, but knowing that people were in need, they set that fear aside and did as they were trained to do."

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, emergency service providers from all agencies in Boundary County manned posts throughout the community to "fill the boot," with all money collected to be sent to emergency service agencies in New York. From Eastport and Porthill to Moyie Springs and Naples, firefighters, EMTs and Search and Rescue personnel stood in traffic, collecting donations, and when the final count was taken, they'd brought in over $15,000.