WATER RESCUE — LAKE PEND OREILLE

Every year during late winter and early spring we learn of drownings that could have been prevented simply by wearing a Life Jacket/PFD. The following report is a good example of what not to do when it comes to paddling and/or boating on cold water.

For heavens safe wear a dam Life Jacket, seriously it's not that hard. I just hate to hear about preventable deaths. I value life and deaths as a result of carelessness or being uneducated about water safety is a death that could have been prevented.

A life lost is painful to loved ones and to our community.

Here is the report...

Timberlake Fire Protection District, Northern Lakes Fire Protection District crews and Kootenai County Sheriff's Office responded to a water rescue involving two kayakers on Lake Pend Oreille this afternoon.

Two kayakers were on the lake when one kayak capsized. The male who remained in the kayak did not have a life jacket, while luckily, the male in the water did have a life jacket. Initially, the individual in the water was clinging to the side of the kayak. The kayakers were forced to abandon one orange kayak, which remained floating in the lake, and paddle to shore to await rescue.

Most of the responding crews staged at the Naval Base, where the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol boat was stationed. Additional crews staged at the Eagle Boat Launch to obtain a visual on the two individuals. Fire crews deployed on the Bayview fireboat to reach the kayakers.

Crews made contact with the victim who was in the water and transported that individual to the Eagle Boat Launch, where they awaited the arrival of a Timberlake Fire Department medic. The second individual, along with a first responder, remained on the shoreline and was later picked up by additional responding personnel.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol was tasked with recovering the abandoned kayak.

According to the last report, the individual was out of the water and being warmed by rescue personnel in under 45 minutes from the initial call.

The sheriff ticketed the one of the kayakers for not having a whistle and life jacket/pfd on board. Your note required to wear you pdf (you should) but must have one on board, along with a sound producing device like a whistle. See requirements by clicking here.

FunToSAIL.com offers Boating Safety classes focused on sailors and paddlers. Powerboaters take of class from your local Sheriff Department or Coast Guard Auxiliary.

🛟 PFD SAFETY REMINDER 🛟

Wearing a personal flotation device while kayaking, whether or not it is a legal requirement it is a critical safety measure, especially during cold-water conditions.

Cold water shock can cause an immediate loss of breathing control, muscle strength, and coordination within seconds. Even experienced swimmers can become incapacitated before they are able to self-rescue or reach shore. A properly worn PFD keeps your airway above water, reduces fatigue, and buys precious time until help arrives.

Kayaks are especially vulnerable to capsizing due to wind, waves, and cold-water instability. A life jacket only works if it is worn, not stored in the kayak.

Not wearing a PFD is not just a risk — it dramatically increases the likelihood of a rescue call becoming a recovery call. Your life jacket in the truck does no good when you are dead.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Steamboats

Back to cardboard steamboat page  OR   Back to FunToSAIL.com

 

Here is a list of the known steamboat wrecks on Lake Coeur d'Alene. It is estimated there were approximately 200 steamboats that graced the waters of the lake from 1880, the first one being the Amelia Wheaton to the last passenger steamer Biddie II (no known pictures) in May1942 via a fire and the very last steam powered boat, the St. Joe Tugboat 1943. Steamers varied in size from 20–30-foot pleasure boats called launches, to tugboats of 30-60 feet, to 120-180 ferries. All lengths are the hull only, does not include length with paddle wheel (if it had one).

We have line drawings of 18 steamboats on our Historical Lake Coeur d'Alene Chart that are Not pictured here due to our effort to protecting our art from online thieves, etc. Our chart is available for sale from us at FunToSAIL.com on our online store and at various shows we attended, and at Jakes Dive Shop in Coeur d'Alene Idaho.

Amelia Wheaton 86 feet/26.2 meter... This was the first steamboat on Lake Coeur d'Alene, August 1880.

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Ajax Tug 60'

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Bonnie Doon (originally name the Milwaukee) 88'

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Bonanza Tug 82'

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Colfax (sister ship Spokane) 100'

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Cougar II Tug 65'

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Eagle Tug 65'

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Flyer 130'

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Georgie Oakes 160'

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Harrison 150'

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Idaho 148'

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Miss Spokane (twin diesel engines) 120'

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Seeweewana (originally named Hawley’s Comet. Single diesel engine) 65'. In picture shows John Finney's party barge, the "Dancewana" being moved by Seeweewana cruise boat. Was not steam powered but powered by a single Diesel engine. The Dancewana barge became the hull of the current Coeur d'Alene ferry ---.

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Spokane 100’

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St Joe Tug 85' (longest living steamer. Last steamer on the lake. Decommissioned in 1943)

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St Maries Tug 75'

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Rutledge Tug (no known pic) 36'

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Back to cardboard steamboat page  OR   Back to FunToSAIL.com

Leave a comment...

There’s a Pacific Ocean Port in Idaho

Elsie Lake, Shoshone County, Idaho

ELSIE LAKE

200 acres and up 80 feet deep

This lake is in a spectacular setting with high alpine mountains all around the lake. The boat launch into this lake is a primitive gravel launch which drops off quickly into the lake about 20 feet or less off the shore. No motors are allowed. The lake is home to rainbow and brook trout; the wilderness area is home to black bear, moose, mountain lions, elk, deer, and a variety of foul. Make sure to keep all food contained as any food left open will be most likely visited by Moose, maybe a black bear, etc. No fee camping areas are mostly along the north shore but none on the east and most of the south shore where there are a steep mountain and cliffs. There is one accessible restroom not far from the launch area. Hiking in this area is a must! It's a popular ATV and dirt bike area. Maps: View Google map google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 47.427598, -116.022882 or type in Elsie Lake Idaho or follow these Directions: Elsie Lake is 12.6 miles from the I90 exit 54/Big Creek Exit. The road to this lake is paved for a short distance through the very small city of Deep Creek, then the rest of the road is gravel. The road was improved recently especially through the rockslide area. This road is not marked nor are their signs giving directions to the lake, however if you stay on the largest and obvious road it will lead you to the lake. As mentioned, there is a portion of the road that goes through a slide area that can potentially deposit large boulders/rocks on the road, so be careful. Best to travel on this road when it's drier during the summer versus spring and certainly not during the winter. Some parts of the road get rough at times with very deep ruts. When you get close to the lake you will come to a saddle area between mountains and then you will take a deep descent to the lake that is less than a mile. Once near the lake there is a road that goes north to the restroom and primitive launch area. There is also a road that goes south to a turnaround area. From the turn about one could potentially camp but would require portaging your gear to a suitable campsite. See below for assessment and article about my trip to Elsie Lake... I camped at and sailed on this lake.

11 designated camp sites

Elsie Lake Primitive Launch (fairly hard packed gravel, dirty/sand, and mud mix). Maps: View Google map google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 47.427598, -116.022882 or type in Elsie Lake Idaho.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel/dirty/sand/mud combo parking area; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Wide gravel/dirty/sand area to beach/launch area. Primitive single-track trails allow hiking and Mt biking through the forest but are not wheelchair/wheeled mobility device accessible. Many wider rough trails used by ATV's and Dirt Bikes; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No accessible docks/platforms. Single lane primitive /sand/gravel/dirt/mud combo launch at about 4% grade. Launch from bank/beach also; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No/Accessible Tent and RV campsites, with/no hookups. However some camp sites are fairly level that would work for wheelchairs with tires that work on dirt and gravel surfaces; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand/mud/marine vegetation; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over lawn/sand/gravel/dirt surface, and steeper on non-wheelchair accessible trails; H2O/Water: Water clear or murky depending on the time of year. Water temperature in the summer can be around 40 to 60 degrees. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Kellogg or Osburn, ID.

PAST ARTICLES ABOUT ELSIE LAKE...

MOOSE ATTACKS :)

I recently went to this lake again to camp on September 21. The plan was to stay for 3 days but due to bad weather we left the following day. Nothing has changed sense my last visit in August of 2016 when I did some accessibility work with a friend (see articles below).

However, the one new bit of information I learned is the moose are quite active around this lake (my camping trip in 2010 I saw no moose). If you leave your food out at night the moose will for sure come and eat your food. Another camper indicated that the moose arrives between 1 and 3 am to find food. On the night we camped the moose were yelled at in several campsites to get them to leave. One camper had the moose come to his campsite twice. A moose came to our campsite for a few minutes. All are food was inside our truck. Obviously, the advice to store one’s food properly always applies as best practice.

From Coeur d'Alene Idaho it’s only about a 2-hour drive to the lake, so it is easy to make a day trip to this lake from that distance.

CAMPING AND SAILING

On Aug 8th, 2010, I traveled with friends and family to Elsie Lake, Idaho from Coeur d’Alene Idaho (about 50 miles from Coeur d’Alene). From Coeur d’Alene you take HWY 90 east past Kellogg Idaho and exit the HWY at Exit 54 (Big Creek Exit). Then one travels at first southwest after exiting the HWY on Big Creek Road to the lake. This road is paved a short distance before it turns to a smooth gravel road for a few miles and then into to a very rough road suited only for 4x4’s with good ground clearance (you will pass over big ruts in the road as well as pass through a slide area). Once you come to a wooded saddle near the top of the mountain you will descend down a 9% grade to the lake. The road is not well marked but staying on the main road will get you to the lake. See updated road condition information above in the main article... Road was improved in 2016.

Elsie Lake is in a beautiful setting of heavily wooded area with steep mountains. Fishing, swimming, and hiking are popular activities here. Even in the summer months the water is still quite chilly. This lake is stocked with Rainbow and Brook Trout. Only small electric motors are allowed on this lake (no gas), otherwise it’s all paddle and wind power. There are camp sites all around the lake except on the east shoreline and most of the south shoreline where there are steep mountains and cliffs. There is one restroom at this lake with no running water. The lake is about 80 deep at its deepest and visibility in the water is about 20 feet or more. The lake is a round shape of about 200 acres in size.

I took my small 16 foot sailboat to the lake and had some great mid-day winds to sail with. While I sailed, I consistently saw fish jumping. The lake’s beauty is absolutely stunning. We spent the night around the campfire listening to the sounds of wildlife and gazing at the abundant stars.

I ran out of time to hike the area as my family, and I spent all our time on the water. While there, we were told of a hiking trail that takes you along a ridge that allows you to see for miles in any direction and to look down on the lake. We will do this next time we go there. Since it’s only 50 miles from Coeur d’Alene it’s an easy enough trip to do in a day.

ELSIE LAKE ACCESS WORK, SERIES OF POSTS ABOUT THIS, 2015-2016

As some of you who visit this site regularly know about great man (previous articles), Tom McTevia and his female passenger passed away in a tragic ATV accident in spring of 2015. I have known Tom for some time, but it was during the winter of 2015 that we became friends. On a trip with his ATV at the end of last winter Tom wanted to show me the inaccessible accessible restroom at Elsie Lake, unfortunately we discovered there was still too much snow at that time to get to the lake. Boulders were placed around the restroom to protect it but also block someone in a wheelchair to get to the accessible designed restroom.

BOULDERS BLOCK ACCESS TO RESTROOM

On June 13th, 2016, I drove up to view this restroom and the to check the accessibility of the camping area around Elsie Lake as Tom had wanted. The restroom itself is actually accessible due to the fact it meets the ADA guidelines but unfortunately due to the Forest Service effort to protect it from vandalism they placed rocks around it, which makes it in-accessible to those who use wheelchairs. They installed boulders placed in front and around the restroom are not any further apart then 2 feet, which is well under the required 36” for a wheelchair to fit through. That is the typical width of a wheelchair, so its needs to be a bit wider. One path through the boulders needs to be at least 42 inches. So of course, the logical fix is to move one of the rocks over to create the space needed for a wheelchair to get through. With vandalism being a concern, one can place another boulder sixty inches back to create a curved path. This allows a wheelchair to get through but makes it difficult for anything larger to get through.

Another issue we hope that can be resolved is access to the southeast beach area. Again, rocks have been placed in front of the path to this beach. The good news is there is another beach that is not blocked off that also works as a primitive launch into the lake (is the main designated launch). Still, it would be good if people using wheelchairs could get to both beaches.

There are 11 campsites around the lake, 4 of which one could consider accessible when the area is not wet and muddy. The road going to this lake has been greatly improved via road upgrades and a new bridge that allows regular passenger cars to drive up to this lake (passenger cars not recommended). However, I would not drive a car up to this lake until the dry season when snow has been gone for a while, and the slide area which the road goes through is clear. And a note of caution to those driving a car up to the lake… it is likely the underside of your car will hit the ground when going over some of the bumps on this road.

We will be contacting the Forest Service about these two issues and since this organization has always been accommodating of persons with disAbilities we are sure these issues will be resolved shortly… we will post a follow up once these issues have been fixed.

Elsie Lake is an amazing place to camp, fish, and boat on, and it is our hope that our efforts will make this site accessible as Tom had wanted.

TOM MCTEVIA WOULD BE PROUD

It is official on June 30th 2016 the Elsie Lake restroom in Shoshone County was made fully accessible.  As some of you know previously large boulders were placed around the restroom to protect it from vandalism that were unfortunately placed too close together to allow wheelchairs to pass through to restroom. Now there is one spot on the south side where there is a gap of 42 inches to allow wheelchair access.

Tom McTevia who passed away last year wanted this issue fixed as Tom's loved this lake and the area around it. I know Tom would be pleased with this.

Great appreciation goes to Josh Jurgensen of the local Forest Service for working with us on this project. Josh personally made this happen. As always, it’s a pleasure to work with the Forest Service as they like us want all people to be able to access the outdoors.

All articles written by Miles Moore of FunToSAIL.com

Hayden Lake, Kootenai County, Idaho

Hayden Lake (3,880 acres), with its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches and picturesque timber shores... is one of the most beautiful and popular lakes of Northern Idaho. Its irregular shape gives it about 40 miles of shoreline with the main portion of the lake being seven miles long and one to two miles wide. Normal lake elevation is 2,239 ft. above sea level, and portions of it reach 178 ft. deep. The lake is surrounded on three sides by panoramic timbered mountains which rise to an elevation of 4,500 to 6,000 ft. In the early years as many as four steamboats served the lake industry, and Bing Crosby built a summer home on its shores.

Hayden lake is a great sailing lake, and I have personally sailed many times on this lake. Its winds are similar to Lake Coeur d’Alene’s with Spring and Fall having the best winds; winter also has nice winds, but they are lighter than Spring and Fall winds. Summer winds are light during the day with morning and late evenings producing nice thermal winds (from the East or West). This lake tends to produce winds from all different directions during mid-day and seems to not have consistent wind patterns other than in the morning and evenings, but it is still a very enjoyable lake to sail on. This lake is a popular location for water skiing and fishing.

There are two boat launches on Hayden Lake, one on the Southwest end (Honeysuckle) and one on the Northeast end (Sportsmen Access). There is also a private marina just a short distance from the Honeysuckle Launch to the Southeast from this boat launch. Honeysuckle Beach boat launch and park is located on the east end of Honeysuckle Avenue and is by far the best public launch facility and the only one you could launch a swing keel sailboat from. Hayden Lake Sportsmen Access is on the Northeast end of the lake. Hayden Lake is suited for dinghies and has a steep road down to the ramp (I really do not feel this is a good place to launch a sailboat of any kind from. It's best suited for kayaks & dinghies 16’ and under).

Free printable Map available soon!

OTHER: Hayden Chamber of Commerce http://www.haydenchamber.org ; Phone #'s: Honeysuckle Beach 772-4411; N.E. Sportsman's Access 446-1275.

BOAT LAUNCHES AND MARINA

1. Honeysuckle Park, Boat Launch, & Beach 

Directions: From Hayden Idaho on US HWY 95...  Go east on Honeysuckle Avenue all the way to the Honeysuckle Boat Launch and park. East Honeysuckle Road intersects with 4th Street. Maps: View Google Map below...

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved from level to 3 percent inclines; PATHS/TRAILS... Marked paths to and from launch and beach area. Paved wide path to beach from parking lot. There is a gravel wide level path along the dike to and from low head dam; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… One fully accessible restroom. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Fully accessible docks and ramps. One 2 lane cement launch, 3% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… There is a paved wide path to the beach, No access pad for wheeled mobility devices over the beach into the water. Beach sand is not supper soft and beach has about a 2% grade; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No camping at or near by; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: None; Terrain: Is mostly level with steepest grade of 3 percent in the northeast end of the parking lot; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Summer months there is a concessions stand at the launch park area. Food, drinks, and gas in town of Hayden. Here are two links from the City of Hayden Honeysuckle launch/park info http://www.hayden.govoffice.com/ and Kootenai County parks and water ways Hayden Lake sportsman access info http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/departments/parkswaterways/facilities/SportsmansAccessHayden.asp

2. Hayden Marina
Marine, boat launch (2 ramps), services...

Directions: From Hayden Idaho on US HWY 95... Travel east on E. Honeysuckle Ave. Turn right after intersecting 4th Street on East Honeysuckle Ave. Take East Hayden Ave. to Hayden Marina. Maps: View Google Map below...

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved from level to 3 percent inclines; PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Not accessible; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Fully accessible docks and ramps. One cement single lane launch, 7% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… None; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No camping at or near by; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: None; Terrain: Is mostly level with steepest grade of 5 percent; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Hayden.

3. Mokins Bay & Campground

Directions: From Interstate 90 in Coeur d'Alene... Go north on US Hwy 95 for 6 miles. Turn east on Lancaster Road (turns into East Hayden Lake Rd). Go 5 miles (paved), and then 11 miles around Hayden Lake to Mokins Bay. Turn east at the "Public Camp" sign and go 200 feet to campground. 

 

ACCESSIBILITY: Will be assessed May 2019

NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE: Mokins Bay Campground - Open from late spring to late summer.  Facilities: Sixteen camp units, potable water... Contact the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District for actual opening and closing dates. You can anchor your boat in the bay across the road from the campground and/or walk down the lake bank to the water and paddle out via small watercraft. Fees: There are fees to camp. Contact the Forest Service for details. Reservations aren't necessary. For more information contact the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District at http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/yourplace/cgguide/map.html

There are no BLM lands on Hayden Lake.

4. Hayden Lake Sportsman Access Boat Launch
This site is built on a sloping hill of significant grade of 10 percent or less. The water at this launch site is heavily invested with lily pad and other aquatic plant life.

Directions: On HWY 95 passing through Hayden Idaho going north... Turn onto E. Lancaster road (turns into East Hayden Lake road); follow to the East Park road Sportsman Access sign.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved from 3 to 7 percent inclines. Parking lot is split from launch area by steep 10 percent inclined paved road; PATHS/TRAILS... None. One must use the launch road from vehicle in parking lot to launch area. Road is 10 percent incline; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… One fully accessible restroom. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One fully accessible dock with gangway, with one single lane cement launch ramp with 7% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… None. Not suitable for this site; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No camping at this site but about 10 miles away is the Mokins Bay Campground (see #3 above this launch info); O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: This end of the lake is heavily infested with lily pads and other aquatic plant life making for an idea location for fish and waterfowl to live; Terrain: Is heavily inclined up to 10 percent inclines; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70 degrees. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Hayden.

Maps: View Google Map below...

Hayden Lake Google Map... Zoom in to see waypoints... for boat launches, etc.

CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE LIVE CAM VIDEO OF HAYDEN LAKE IDAHO USA AT HAYDEN LAKE COUNTRY CLUB MARINA

Herman Lake, Boundary County, Idaho

Private, No Access

Herman Lake is a private lake with no public access. If you are in the area you may hear about the lake, so it is appropriate to mention here. Herman Lake is near the junction of Herman Lake Cutoff Road & Old Hwy two, known locally as "Herman Junction." Where these two roads meet Hwy 2 turns to gravel, so if you want to stay on pavement use Herman Lake Rd. Directions: To view Herman Lake and so some bird watching from the road take HWY 2 from Bonner Ferry's and then turn north onto Herman Lake Rd. Herman Lake Rd off of HWY 2 is just 3 miles from the Idaho Montana boarder. Maps: View Google Map below...

4th of July

 Have an amazing

4th of July!

Hope you enjoy story of the Star Spangled Banner as most have never heard it, 

and two musical renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, 

which will reminds us all why this nation is so amazing.

(scroll down)!

Rock out to this amazing rock n roll version of the Star Spangle Banner.

>

Lake Coeur d'Alene Boat Fire

Marine deputies and fire crews responded to a boat fire near Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Saturday morning, with all people evacuated safely and no injuries reported.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office (KCSO), the incident occurred around 11 a.m. Saturday, prompting a response from KCSO Marine Deputies and local fire crews. All people aboard the vessel were able to get off the boat before emergency responders arrived.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, sheriff's officials said.

The sheriff's office used the incident as an opportunity to remind boaters about the importance of water safety and preparedness.

"It is a good reminder that you need a fire extinguisher on your boat," KCSO stated.

No additional details about the number of occupants, the type of vessel involved, or the extent of damage were immediately available.

NOTE: Fire likely cause from fumes in the bilge and the blower was not turned on or not turned on long enough, and no fire extinguisher on board.

Memorial Day

SEE MEMORIAL SERVICES Times below for the Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Idaho area. Contact your local military group(s) for events in your area.

 

I thought it was only fitting I supply you with this article about honoring those that have fallen in war to keep us free. See Article Below!

And I personally would like to thank those who USA military family members have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free, not just in this country but also for the world. There is no greater love than to give your life for another!

May we all remember their sacrifices today and forever. Let us visit their graves, support gold star families, and help lift where we stand, in our communities. Let us always stand, put our hands over our hearts, and take off our hats for the national anthem. And let us remember to defend the US Constitution at all costs via voting for those who know and uphold it, and by getting involved in our local communities. To truly honor the fallen is to uphold that which they fought and died for.

And to add to this, today is to specifically remember our fallen US military members and no one else! Memorial Day Monday is more than just another holiday. See Memorial events at the end of this page to enhance our remembrance. Also watch a USA military movie to remember the fallen, such as the Band of Brothers, Pearl Harbor, Midway, etc. Make a comment below related to your favorite war movies and memories of the fallen.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Skipper Miles Moore

MEMORIAL ARTICLE by the Navy SEAL who killed Usama bin Laden

Don't wish me a happy Memorial Day

Don’t wish me a happy Memorial Day. There is nothing happy about the loss of the brave men and women of our armed forces who died in combat defending America. Memorial Day is not a celebration.

Memorial Day is a time for reflection, pause, remembrance and thanksgiving for patriots who gave up their own lives to protect the lives and freedom of us all – including the freedom of generations long gone and generations yet unborn. We owe the fallen a debt so enormous that it can never be repaid.

Memorial Day is a time to honor the lives of those who would rather die than take a knee when our national anthem is played. But they will fight and die for the rights of those who kneel.

This holiday is a time to think of young lives cut short, of wives and husbands turned into widows and widowers, of children growing up without a father or mother, of parents burying their children.

Memorial Day is a time to think of might have beens that never were. Of brave Americans who put their country before themselves. Without these heroes, America would not be America.

Unfortunately, for many Americans this solemn holiday might as well be called Summer Day – marking the unofficial start of the season of barbecues, days at the beach, time spent on baseball fields and golf courses, hiking and enjoying the great the outdoors. All those things are great – we all appreciate them and they are some of the best things in life.

But Memorial Day is not Summer Day. Nor was the holiday created as a way to promote sales of cars, furniture or clothes.

Another Memorial Day brings with it a whole lot more than the start of summer. Since last Memorial Day, grass is now growing above the final resting places of many young men and women whose lives were taken too soon while defending our country in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other far-off places many Americans have rarely heard of.

When Army Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright were killed last October in an ISIS ambush in Niger, many Americans asked: We have troops in Niger? These unknown soldiers lost their lives protecting you – every one of you reading these words.   

Think about this: Millions of high-school seniors are walking across auditorium stages this season, receiving their diplomas. Most will go on to college or jobs, but some will choose a career of military service, joining the second generation of American warriors fighting in the Global War on Terror – a war that began with the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took the lives of almost 3,000 people in our homeland.

Most of these new recruits – who were not even born or who were just infants when the 9/11 attacks took place – will make it home just fine. But some will not. I pray that I am wrong, but the sad truth is that the number of American war dead on Memorial Day in 2019 will be higher than it is on this Memorial Day.  

On Memorial Day, I salute my brothers and sisters-in-arms who have served beside me in War on Terror. My heart especially goes out to the families of those who did not return home. In fact, I think about all those who served and those who have given their lives fighting for America from our county’s earliest days in the Revolutionary War. They all have my gratitude.

We think we are strong, but in war any of us can be turned into just a memory in an instant. And war seems to have been the universal experience of just about every society on the planet at one time or another, for as long as there have been human societies.

How do we stop the wars resulting in such tragic waste of lives? How do we stop the number of American war dead and war dead in other nations from growing? I wish I knew the answer. But battle lines are being drawn and redrawn, and wars and terrorist attacks just keep going on and on. Weapons are getting bigger. Bombs are becoming smarter and more lives are being lost every day all over the world, leading to more death, more anger and more war.

Some are so loyal to their cause that they strap bombs on their bodies or fly passenger jets into buildings. They conduct beheadings. They set prisoners on fire. How do we find common ground with them? Do we even try to find common ground, or do we finally take the gloves off and start landing punches intended to take our enemy out for good?

I’ve been on over 400 Army combat missions and have seen more war than most Americans. More than I care to remember, but cannot forget. There is never a shortage of war. War spreads faster than fire and like fire it leaves destruction in its wake.

It hurts my heart as an American every time I see another service member’s body being brought home draped in an American flag. But it hurts my heart as a human being with every act of war we are all unleashing against each other around the world.

This Memorial Day, I urge all Americans to remember all the fallen sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members who have so bravely served our country, as well as their families.

And I urge all Americans to join me in the hope and prayer that somehow, someday people around the world will focus more on our similarities than our differences and that we will move closer to a time when war is just a memory – part of our past but not our future.

Robert O'Neill is a Fox News contributor and ex-Navy SEAL best known as “the man who killed Usama bin Laden.” O'Neill joined the Navy in 1996 and deployed as a SEAL more than a dozen times, participating in more than 400 combat missions across four different theaters of war.

Hello everyone! I hope you all will find a Memorial Day ceremony in your area and go to it to honor our fallen Heroes. I know I will as I have family that have served and one son who is serving now in the Navy. We need to make this day more than a day to buy things and barbecue, etc. It should be a day of reverence.

Here below are two events in my area that honor our fallen Heroes.

Plus after noted events is an amazing article by the Navy Seal who killed Usama bin Laden. A very inspiring article by an American hero who teaches how to truly observe Memorial Day.

MONDAY/MEMORIAL DAY

Kootenai County Memorial Day events:

• 9 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 Memorial Day ceremony — McEuen Park, 420 E. Front St., Coeur d'Alene

• 9:30 a.m. Hayden Veterans Commission and U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. wreath laying on Hayden Lake — Honeysuckle Beach, 2369 E. Honeysuckle Ave., Hayden

• 11 a.m. Marine Corps League Detachment 966 Memorial Day ceremony — Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene

• 11 a.m. American Legion Post 143 Memorial Day ceremony — Evergreen Cemetery, 2834 N. Spokane St., Post Falls

• 11 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 Memorial Day ceremony — Forest Cemetery, 1001 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene

• 11 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3603 Memorial Day ceremony — Pleasant View Cemetery, 1298 S. Goldfinch Road, Post Falls

• 11 a.m. Hayden Veterans Commission Memorial Day ceremony — McIntire Family Park, 8930 N. Government Way, Hayden

• Noon, American Legion Post 154 and the city of Rathdrum Memorial Day ceremony — Pinegrove Cemetery, 6693 W. Highway 53, Rathdrum

• Noon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1473 Memorial Day ceremony — Greenwood Cemetery, 400 10th Ave., Spirit Lake