Driving Drunk Affects Lives For Generations
Statistics on alcohol-related automobile deaths are deceptive. A mere number can never adequately define the loss of a life or how far into the future such a loss is felt.
On April 23, 1971, when Larry Oleson, Lakeland High School Class of 1966 and a Vietnam combat veteran, was killed on east Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, I became an expert on the subject. When our daughter Melani was born a few months later my life was redefined beyond anything I could ever have imagined.
Because of someone’s decision to drink and drive 29 years ago, a little girl lost a father. A father who never tossed her in the air, admired her first lost tooth or took her to a park to play. A father who didn’t beam with pride at her high school graduation, walk her down the aisle when she married or carry a photo of his new grandson in his wallet.
For 29 years, Larry’s mother, father and brothers also have lived with the loss and remembered. We were all changed on that Friday night in 1971. Time compartmentalizes the pain and allows us to go on, as it does for most who experience a devastating and senseless loss.
I can’t remember the sound of Larry’s voice or even easily recall his face, except when looking at the adult daughter who shares his green eyes and dimples. Melani is now 6 years older than her father was when he was killed. Our grandson is 3 years old.
I’m confident that Larry would understand that I’ve not spent my life mourning in sadness or consumed with anger and bitterness. Nearly three decades later those who loved him honor his life by living and by remembering and by telling his story.
Bad things don’t always happen to “the other guy” and statistics are more than numbers on a printed page. The decision to drink and drive is one that can affect many lives…for generations.
A long-standing tradition continues this year with the Post Falls Fire Department’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Q’emiln Park on Sunday. Spearheaded by the volunteers, including the efforts of all area fire department personnel and the Explorer Scouts, the event features over 5,000 real hard-boiled eggs, dyed by the dozens and donated by Wenig Foods and Spencer’s Excell Foods. Firefighter/EMT Mindy Hedges, one of Post Falls’ newest recruits, is the tireless coordinator of this year’s event.
This is such a fun family event that reminds us that no matter how large the population numbers grow, we still enjoy the very best attributes of a small town filled with friends and neighbors. Be sure to thank a firefighter, especially those with purple, green, blue, yellow and red stained fingers!
Post Falls High School Principal John Billetz was wearing a great light orange button-down shirt with a Post Falls Trojan sweater vest the other day. We had a bit of a laugh over our mutual affection for the color orange.
After all these years of school colors that are black and orange and trying to fit those colors into a fashion scheme beyond Halloween, we’ve got good news to report to all of those orange-wearing Trojan fans. This is the year for orange. Light orange, bright orange, neon orange and everything in between.
Every fashion magazine and designer runway is featuring PFHS orange. Not that I advocate bugle beads and sequins on Trojan football helmets, but I’m sure happy to see “our” color come back in style. This just may bode well for the success of Post Falls High School in many arenas in the coming year. What a great way to celebrate our brand new high school!
Springtime in North Idaho…snowflakes in April. Don’t pack up those winter clothes just yet. We may have another day or two of wacky weather before we break out the suntan lotion and sandals.
You’ll know for sure that spring has arrived when the men in uniform here in Idaho’s River City bring out the motorcycles, and convertibles proliferate.