My dad, Ron Rankin, had a vision to build a veterans memorial plaza between the old courthouse and the new administrative building in Coeur d'Alene.  Dad was elected Kootenai County Commissioner in 1996, and served two terms from January 1997 through January 2003.

KIADad began to raise money from private individuals for the three flagpoles and dedicatory stone. In 1998 the 8-ton black marble "Killed In Action" monument was placed in the plaza. Over the next few years the 13 wall panels of battle scenes from history, and the Hall of Heroes/Medal of Valor recipients and Purple Heart Honor Roll were added. Dad considered this memorial to veterans as his legacy. To this day, no public money has been used for the memorials, including the 14th marble wall panel honoring those who have and continue to serve in Iraq which was added in 2005.
 
After Dad's passing in 2004, the county unanimously decreed that the plaza be dedicated in his name.  On Memorial Day 2005, the Rankin family donated the eagle statue to the citizens and veterans of Kootenai County during a ceremony to dedicate the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza.





My dad  enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1946, shipped out to the Philippines,  and was stationed at Subic Bay U.S. Naval Base. He was discharged in 1948.  In 1950, dad enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, just before he was activated on July 29, 1950, and shipped out August 18 for Korea, leaving behind my mom  and my 7-month-old sister Lynne. Dad saw combat at the Inchon Landing and continued on to the liberation of Seoul, heading north to the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. After surviving 100,000 Red Chinese, he was discharged as a corporal  on July 12, 1951.
 

A life member and founding Judge Advocate of the Pappy Boyington Detachment #966 of the Marine CeremonyCorps League, Dad was also a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9831; a member of American Legion Post 14; and a member of the "Chosin Few," a last-man organization of those who survived the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in North Korea, November-December 1950.
 
Dad's EagleMy sister, Kerri Rankin Thoreson, continues today as the curator of the plaza and oversees the memorials and ceremonies which take place there.  She is also the wonderful photographer credited with these photographs. 

I hope you'll join me today in prayer for our veterans, past and present, that our Heavenly Father will hold them in His loving hands as they stand between us and tyranny.  Semper Fi, daddy. 
Family

Janna SignJanna Rankin Scharf  provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit Janna.ServingNorthIdaho.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence.  Give me a call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you!

Janna Rankin Scharf AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS  208.651.9700

Share/Bookmark

Subscribe to North Idaho Janna's Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Blog by Email

 
This post has been included in Idaho Real Estate News Kootenai County, ID Real Estate News Coeur d'Alene, ID Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: Inspiration !!
Post is included in group: Keller Williams 'Rainers
Post is included in group: REALTOR LIFE
Post is included in group: Realtors®

8 Comments on Semper Fi, Dad ~ A Veterans Day Tribute

NOV
10
2008
2 Featured Posts

Janna- What a nice tribute to your father! I will join in prayer with you today with a thankful heart for all that our veterans have done for us!
4:10pm • #1
193,796 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Your daddy was a hero, Janna. I'm so happy that you have honored his memory in this post. I KNOW you are so proud of him. Few people dream a dream...and then follow it through. Your dad was a special man. GBU!
11:46pm • #2
NOV
11
2008
823,950 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a beautiful tribute to your dad and I know you must be proud.  Like most veterans, he didn't stop serving his country when he was discharged, as evidenced by the memorial he spearheaded. 
5:46am • #3

What an awesome way to honor verterans and your dad Janna. Thanks for sharing and Warm greetings from Paradise.

Team Paradise Logo
10:33am • #4

Your dad was a great man, and this is a wonderful tribute to him, his legacy, and to all veterans.  Thank-you for posting this reminder about the great men and women who serve and have served our country in the military. 
2:02pm • #5
568,550 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Without Janna's enthusiasm and support the eagle statue might not have happened. I'm honored to be her sister and we're honored to be the daughters of such a special father.

Semper Fi!

Kerri
11:12pm • #6
NOV
12
2008
113,561 Points Localism Sponsor

Janna, what an awesome tribute to your father and to those who have served our country. 

Thank you for posting, it was very heartwarming.

BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting - your support is appreciated!
12:07pm • #7
594,106 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

What a wonderful story...your dad was a great man to inspire that....

Thanks for commenting on my car post.  It has been a really tough decision for me and I appreciate your input.
5:55pm • #8


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Jannajuly11a Ambassador_large

Janna Rankin Scharf

Coeur d'Alene, ID

More about me…

Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene

Address: 1450 Northwest Blvd. Ste 301, Coeur d'Alene, ID, 83814

Office Phone: (208) 667-2399

Cell Phone: (208) 651-9700

Email Me

Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Blog By Janna Rankin Scharf of Keller Williams Realty is a Great Place For Real Estate Agents and Potential Buyers and Sellers to get to know more about Coeur d'Alene Idaho as well as other parts of Kootenai County and North Idaho.
Locations of visitors to this page


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog