Kerri Thoreson provided this photo and writes:
 

 I remember standing next to my father in 1998 as the 8-ton black granite monument was lowered into place in the Kootenai County Veterans Memorial Plaza. He'd worked for three years researching the names of all of those county residents from the Spanish American War through Vietnam who had given their last full measure of devotion. It was that day and now so much more than a monument. These are the... names of our neighbors, classmates, friends. It's so important that they are not forgotten.

After my father's passing in 2004 the plaza was named in his honor. If you've not visited the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Kootenai County County Courthouse, make it a point to do just that this weekend. It's hallowed ground for all of those who've fought and died to ensure our freedom. Semper Fi.

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