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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Lake City ‘Freedom Tree’ Faces Ax

The Freedom Tree in Coeur d'Alene has stood as a memorial to veterans for more than 40 years, but with the redevelopment of McEuen Park the tree will fall under the axe. The tree, which has replica dog tags hanging from lights on the tree, will be cut down to make way for the park expansion; plans call for a new tree to be planted and a new veterans memorial, but some say the process is being handled all wrong. "Its meaning to people and there's people's names on 'em and again that is something that is special," veteran Baron Cheffer said. The tree got its name in honor of retired Air Force Lt. Col. Captain Fred McMurray, who was shot down over North Vietnam on Sept. 12, 1972 while flying as a navigator aboard an F-4E Phantom. McMurray was taken captive as a POW and eventually returned home in 1973. Many others did not/Aaron Luna, KXLY. More here. (Photo: KXLY)

Question: Is the city of Coeur d'Alene handling the removal of the Freedom Tree correctly?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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