Lincoln County honors its military veterans

Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Josh Brabo Monday speaks during a Veterans Day Assembly, Nov. 11, 2024, at Libby High School. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School students Tristan Andersen and Urijah Bache perform a U.S. flag folding Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly at Libby High School. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harper Erdman Post 1548 present the colors Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly at Libby High School. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School student Sidnie Thompson rings a bell Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly at Libby High School. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School's Leah Rusdal reads an essay Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby High School choir sing Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School's Mikaila Kerzman reads an essay Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Members of the Libby High School band perform Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School student Urijah Bache present a U.S. flag to Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Josh Brabo Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly at Libby High School. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School student Riley Stoltz prepares to perform 'Taps,' Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly at the high school. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Libby High School's Emmah Barnes reads an essay Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during a Veterans Day Assembly. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

by SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
The Western News | November 12, 2024 7:00 AM

The last few days were an opportunity across south Lincoln County to remember the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have made unimaginable sacrifices in defense of our country.

Last Friday evening, elementary school students from Kootenai Valley Christian School held their annual Veterans Day program at Libby Christian Church.

Monday, Libby middle and high school students held an assembly that featured guest speaker Josh Brabo, a former U.S. Marine and current deputy with the county Sheriff’s Office.

The presentation saw performances by the high school choir and band, a presentation of colors by members of the Harper Erdman VFW Post 1548, essay readings by Leah Rusdal, Mikaila Kerzman and Emmah Barnes.

VFW Post members included Travis Beller and Keith Kidwell (Navy), Don Connors, Bill Crews, Gary Dodge and Mike Rooney (Army) and Elijah Miller (Marines).

In addition, Ryan Beagle and Bergen Fortner performed the readings while Tristan Andersen and Urijah Bache performed an American flag folding and presented it to Brabo.

Brabo, who achieved the rank of Sergeant while serving in the Marine Corps from 2014 to 2019, spoke of the time when he understood what it meant to be a veteran.

“I was driving and listening to the radio when President Biden was giving an address about the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan when the suicide bombing at the airport in Kabul,” Brabo began. “Thirteen service members died while trying to evacuate Afghan cititzens. I felt utterly devastated, thinking about the family members they left behind.”

Brabo, who also served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2019 to 2022, first became a member of the Libby community in 2022 when he joined the police department. He is now a married father of two and said his time in the Marines gave him the confidence to do the work he does now. He also spoke of the brotherhood with local law enforcement officers, such as Cody DeWitt, Ian Smith, Clint Heintz, Anthony Jenson, Seth Power, Don Luthey and many others.

“Joining the military was the best decision,” Brabo said. “It changed who we are and helped make us the upstanding citizens we are today. I would do it, time and time again.”

Brabo urged the young adults in attendance to consider the military, “to take a chance on themselves.”