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Lest We Forget

Yesterday after placing flowers on my parents graves and on Shirley's dad's grave in the Mt. McCaleb Cemetery above Mackay, Idaho; we went to Challis to buy garden plants and flowers to spruce up our yard and provide us with another task to accomplish this summer (trying not to kill our tomatoes, zucchinis, and cucumbers.  We don't have much trouble raising basil, spinach, parsley, and chocolate mint; as these plants  for the most part are just glorified weeds).

Any way, being that it is Memorial Day weekend and since we spent most of Friday morning with the Scouts and Cub Scouts of Troop and Pack 98 putting flags on the graves of veterans in the Mt. McCaleb Cemetery for the American Legion, we decided to stop at the Custer County Veterans Memorial located south of Challis at the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park (at the junction of US Highway 93 and Idaho Scenic Highway 75) and check it out.

Custer County Veterans Memorial

Wayne Olsen Photo

Names of Veterans begin on the plaques to the left starting with the Mexican American War (armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S annexation of Texas; which Mexico considered part of its territory despite the 1836 Texas Revolution).  Many residence of Custer County (formerly Alturas County) came to the area to prospect and work in the mines following the Civil War and are listed as having served during that war.  The plaques continue to the right with the names of those who have served in the military up to 2011.

Those who gave their lives for their country are also listed on a white plaque in the center of the memorial.


Our oldest son Erik joined the Army National Guard (to complete Army Boot Camp/Training) when a junior in high school and served in the guard for several years while in high school and college.  He got permission from the head of the Pacific Fleet to transfer to the United States Navy but had to start over and complete Navy Boot Camp/Training.  He completed nuclear navy training and was assigned to the Fast Attack Submarine USS Pittsburgh where he served for 6 years. He is the only person we know that has served in both the United States Army and the United States Navy. We found his name which is pictured below (#2333).  Erik saw action in the Persian Gulf during the Kosovo conflict and is officially a Veteran of a Foreign War.


All gave some, some gave all.  
We thank those who have served to protect the way of life we enjoy not only today, but in the future.


Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Leaders who put flags on veterans graves at Mt. McCaleb Cemetery.


Back Row Left to Right: Judy Malkiewicz, Jani Malkiewicz, Lana Pherson -Cub Den Leader, Wayne Olsen-Scoutmaster, Lucky Rogers-Asst. Cubmaster, Shirley Olsen-Cubmaster, Campbell Gardett- American Legion Commander, Middle Row: Christopher Ivie (Scout), Nolan Moorman (Cub Scout), Nick Burrows (Cub Scout), Kassie Rogers (Friend), Front Row: Bryson Wooddbury (Cub Scout), Danny Robertson (Cub Scout), Lafe Gamett (Cub Scout), Jayden Bell (Cub Scout), Caleb Hampton (Cub Scout), Joey Robertson (Scout).  

Judy and Jani, put together the list of those burried in Mt. McCaleb Cemetery along with the grave location and whether they were veterans or not.  There are approximately 1500 graves in the cemetery and of those the graves of 215 veterans are scattered throughout.  It took this crew about 1.5 hours to find the veterans graves and put up the American flags.  It took Judy and Jani weeks to prepare the lists.  THANKS TO ALL!!
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