If ever a day could be described as both heartbreaking and uplifting, it would be Friday, July 15. I joined the contingent from Post Falls with Chief Scot Haug, Mayor Clay Larkin and Sgt. David Marshall that met at the Coeur d'Alene Airport to provide escort to Spc. Nick Newby. When we were in sight of the airport there were already dozens of Patriot Guard Riders and a number of vehicles belonging to the Newby family. I recalled the sunny September day of the 116th's deployment, thanking each for their service and promising to hold a homecoming parade when they returned. As the procession staged and grew larger in numbers I realized that this was not the kind of homecoming parade I imagined 10 months ago.

Our first two patrol cars and the two PFPD motorcycles were directed closer to the front of the lineup, just ahead of two humvees from the 116th to wait the arrival of the plane carrying Spc. Newby. At the scheduled time, a non-descript private jet could be seen in the distance. It came closer, then landed. The family was sequestered out of sight on the tarmac to have their privacy while the unthinkable took place ... a flag-draped coffin bearing the body of their son, brother, grandson, nephew was lowered from the cargo hold. Maybe 30 minutes elapsed before we could see soldiers standing at attention and knew the hearse was soon to make its way through the gates. Lights on all of the law enforcement vehicles were activated and we began forward motion just after 1:30 p.m.

As we moved up the block to turn south on Ramsey Road there was a very surreal feel. The faces of the first gathering of people mirrored what we were all feeling. Such sadness. Then more small groupings of people on either side of the road. A farmer in a field pausing from his work with his hand on his heart. Families with flags and veterans of long ago wars standing at attention ... a mother kneeling by her young son who clutched a flag and seemed to grasp the significance of what he was witnessing.

Block after block and the crowds alongside the road grew even larger. Northbound motorists stopped and stood outside their cars with hands over their hearts or in salute. As we got closer to Lake City High School we knew the crowds would not only be large but would include people who knew Nick and the family the best ... his former classmates and friends ... a young man's recent alma mater honored him well.

The Ramsey ball fields were filled with young people at play ... soccer teams of small children continued their game as the first escort vehicles passed and then we saw something extraordinary and moving ... a regional girls 18U softball tournament was under way with both local and out-of-state teams. As our cars came into view the players each dropped to one knee and put their hands over their hearts. Right there on the field ... on the bench, on first base, the pitcher's mound and in the outfield. The spectators in the stands, the umpires, coaches, all removed their hats and stood in silence. They stopped play and honored a native son coming home from war.

When we turned the corner at Garden and Fourth Street, the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department's ladder truck extended high over the street with a beautiful American flag flying and huge crowds of people silently lining both sides of the street for two blocks. As we prepared to turn into Yates Funeral Home drive I caught a glimpse of two of my beloved veterans of the Greatest Generation ... Jim Shepperd and Dusty Rhoads, both standing as straight and solemn and proud as the young soldier they were honoring. Holding flags. Paying their respects.

Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the experience, I thanked God that this is not a routine day in our community, said a little prayer for the families and a silent thank you to every single person who stopped what they were doing for a brief moment in time to show honor to Nick Newby and his family.

Rest up, there's a big weekend in our little corner of the world ... Julyamsh Pow Wow and Encampment at the Greyhound Park, St. Vincent de Paul's annual Steak Fry with Jeff Selle and Greg Prado doing the honors for a great cause, Veterans Stand Down and Muddy Miles at the Fairgrounds, Hayden Days Parade and community celebration, CASA's Country Hoe Down and anything and everything that's on or near water!

Birthday wishes today to Sally Holtz, Duane Hammond and Louise Gillespie. Tomorrow Norman Heitstuman, Todd Jenicek, Janet Allen, Cathy Meeks, Matt Gardner and Debra Wunderlich will celebrate. Friday birthdays are being marked by Sam Paul, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Schmidt and Joe Malloy. Sunny Saturday celebrants are Darin Hayes, Marilee Wallace, Anne Lunceford, Carolyn Kreager, Cassie Ohlig, Bill Singleton, Katie Brodie and Jeremy Epstein. On Sunday Marie Price, Karen Prosser, Tom Taggart, Karen Youman, Anthony King (A-Train) and Srinivas Gundari will blow out the birthday candles. Starting next week off with birthdays are Kent Bailey on Monday and Marla Giese, Doreen Mack, Marlo Gerber, Nick Epstein and Lois Johnson on Tuesday.

THERE'S MORE: New stories and photos almost every day at More Main Street. There's a link also for adding your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club! Access at cdapress.com, columns tab.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com.