Parade honors heroes
Alecia Warren | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years AGO
<p>Chris Boifeuillet, with Cub Scout Pack 249, walks along the Veterans Day parade route in Hayden while carrying an American flag and a sign in remembrance of the military service members from the area who have died in combat.</p>
<p>Tom Wambolt, with the Pappy Boyington Detachment of the Marine Corps League, bows his head during the prayer at the Veterans Park ceremony Friday in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
The sacrifices of war weren't forgotten at the Hayden Veterans Day Parade on Friday morning.
Roughly 100 huddled along Government Way to cheer, wave and applaud service men and women as they marched past.
"Patriotism," said Hayden resident Patt Spangler of why she showed up with her family. "We've got a lot of veterans in the family. Vietnam, the Iraq war, World War II."
They were glad to bring her toddler grandchildren she said.
"We've been talking to them about how people have to sacrifice to live in this great country," she said. "And that we're very lucky and proud to be Americans."
Dick Wardrocke, who had helped guard the Russian border against the Germans in the '50s, saluted those in uniform as they passed.
"Being a vet, it just stays with you a long time," he said. "The honor and pride to serve the country."
Wayne Syth, chairman of the Hayden Veteran Affairs Committee, noted that two riderless horses in the parade honored fallen National Guard soldiers Nicholas Newby and Nathan Beyers, both of Coeur d'Alene.
"We appreciate everything they did for our country," Syth said.
It's crucial to recognize all military members' contributions, he added.
"We're trying to see that every veteran gets recognition, so we don't have another Vietnam welcome generation," he said.