Huckleberries: A heartfelt thank-you to those who paid the price

Baby boomer Darrell Kerby, a 1969 graduate and former Bonners Ferry mayor, didn’t fight in Vietnam. He was spared the horrors of war by his lottery number, 173. On his Facebook wall on Veterans Day, Darrell shared his deep appreciation for those who did serve: “I have stood at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and traced my classmate’s name. I have stood in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s exhibit of articles left at the Vietnam Wall. I saw and read the messages from sons to fathers they had never met. I read love letters from girlfriends whose boyfriends had never returned. I saw ladies’ panties, baby shoes, letterman’s jackets and sweaters, varsity letters, footballs and basketballs. Items so personal, painful, and meaningful you would literally need to have been born without a heart to not be moved to uncontrollable tears.” The beautiful essay goes on to tell of Darrell’s visits to Normandy, Pearl Harbor and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, concluding: “I have attended dozens and dozens of Veteran’s Day remembrances. I get it. My fellow Americans get it. Veterans, there is truly no way to appropriately say thank you. You and your families know intimately firsthand that freedom isn’t free. What I know is … we must never … ever … forget.” Bingo.

65 and holding

I asked my dentist last week when he planned to retire. He’s 67. I’ll be 65 Thursday. He repeated what others have told me: “When I quit enjoying what I do – or I develop a bad attitude toward what I do – I’ll retire.” Until then, he said, his health is good, his hands are steady, and he continues to enjoy the work. He said some of his contemporaries claim they’re busier than ever in retirement, while others are looking for jobs because they’re bored. There’s only so much golf you can play, he said. And so many fish you can catch. And so many books you can read. Later, I relayed his philosophy to my wife, who had wanted me to retire at 65. She quietly gave up the crusade this fall when I asked her: “Do you really want me under foot for another 40 to 45 hours per week?” Besides, I like what I do. Onward.

Huckleberries

Quotable Quote: “As I watched the election results unfold (election night), I couldn’t help but think that if Barack Obama moved to Idaho, joined the Republican Party, and ran for office as a Republican, he could get elected. Issues apparently don’t matter. Neither does anything else” – Kent Marmon of Caldwell, after another Republican tidal wave washed over Idaho … Must be the season for studded snow tires. A set of studs on a white PT Cruiser whirred by me in downtown Coeur d’Alene during the lunch hour Thursday … The latest series of public art on Coeur d’Alene utility boxes includes the photography of local artist Linda Lantzy, at Third Street and Harrison in midtown Coeur d’Alene. Linda specializes in outdoor Idaho photography. If you haven’t heard of her, you’re missing out. Check out her Idaho Scenic Images’ Facebook page … Poll: 57 percent of my Huckleberries Online blog readers would escape to warmer climes during Inland Northwest winters, if they could afford to do so. Wimps … I can face winter in the Inland Northwest because Gonzaga plays at least twice a week.

Parting shot

For those keeping score at home, that swell, new piece of public art at McEuen Park is dedicated to the farmers, miners, loggers, construction workers and factory workers who helped build America. “The American Worker,” by local artist Terry Lee, was donated by the man who helped rebuild McEuen Park, Dean Haagenson of Contractors Northwest. You can – and should – see it at the Sixth Street entrance to the new and improved park.