Vet’s memory preserved

James Hillman once wrote: “The past lies under graves buried, but the memory of these moments in our soul history keeps their values alive.”

Being retired from the United States Army and my wife a farmer’s daughter from Reardan, we are saddened with the recent closure of Mann Hall (U.S. Army Reserve facility in Hillyard), named for Joe E. Mann. Mr. Mann was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner for his valor in World War II. Little did we realize that a problem would arise as to where to store the portrait and medals until a new place could be found.

Once again Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and staff stepped forward and organized a place of honor in her busy office downtown (these items could have ended up in a storage room, attic or lost or destroyed).

The Marines have a motto, “Semper Fi” (always faithful), that describes our congresswoman, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee. Thank you once again for protecting our precious memories of our “real” American heroes this Veterans Day.

Matthew Cunningham

Spokane