Veterans honor their own

RATHDRUM – The family of Curt Jordan Jr. wore sweatshirts bearing his picture and the words “We’ll Never Forget.”

Beneath the picture of the Army sergeant were two dates. His birth and death – just 25 years between the two.

Relatives came to Rathdrum’s Pinegrove Cemetery on a chilly Veterans Day, the first since his death in December, to see his name etched into the polished granite of the new Rathdrum Veterans Memorial.

“It’s someplace for me to acknowledge my son,” said his father, Curt Jordan Sr. “I can come here.”

Jordan Jr. died in Iraq on Dec. 28 when he collapsed at a guard station and died of asphyxiation, the cause of which remains a mystery. He left behind his parents, wife and two children. His brother, who also was serving in Iraq, has come home.

Hundreds turned out for the unveiling of the memorial to Rathdrum veterans. For eight years, members of the Rathdrum VFW had been working on plans for a memorial on donated land in the cemetery. Over the past two years, they sold bricks and solicited sponsors to cover $32,000 in expenses.

“It’s a dream fulfilled,” VFW member Roger Mann said during Thursday’s dedication. He and his wife, Patricia, helped with the project. “There were times we didn’t think we’d get it finished.”

A week ago Tuesday, Patricia Mann died. Fresh flowers marked her grave Thursday, just steps from the monument she never got to see.

“She would have really loved it,” Mann said.

The sky was a deceiving blue Thursday morning. Save the bitter cold and blowing wind, it was a beautiful day. As those gathered prayed together, three newly erected flags – American, Idaho and VFW – flapped at half-staff.

Veterans from several generations were represented at Thursday’s ceremony. There were the older veterans, some with walkers and canes. A group in black leather vests, embroidered in red with the words “Vietnam Vets America,” stood together. There were Gulf War veterans.

“These are my boys,” Rathdrum’s Tami Scott said, showing off a picture of two smiling soldiers shaking hands. Her sons, Ryan and Taylor, are serving in the Army. The names of both are carved in the memorial.

From their home in a neighboring subdivision, the Scotts can see the memorial.

“It’s real neat. They light up the flags at night,” Tami Scott said. “People made fun of us for years that we had a view of the cemetery. Now it’s a good thing.”

Ryan Scott is a member of the military police, stationed in Japan. Taylor Scott is in North Carolina, possibly headed to Iraq early next year. Both are recent graduates of Lakeland High School.

Members of the VFW and Rathdrum community expressed great pride Thursday. They gathered around the memorial, reading names of soldiers from their town and reaching out to touch the names with gloved fingers.

“Isn’t it a gorgeous thing?” Jim Tuttle, of the VFW, asked another vet.

Bob Schumacher, of the VFW, said the memorial was long overdue. He’s traveled around the world and said he was impressed by the way some communities honor their veterans.

“You go to other countries, like New Zealand, every little town smaller than Rathdrum has a memorial to their war dead,” he said. “All towns should have a memorial.”