Communities to honor BF soldier today

BONNERS FERRY — Residents in both Bonner and Boundary counties will be lining the streets to pay tribute to a Bonners Ferry soldier killed in Afghanistan.

 Ethan J. Martin, 22, was killed Aug. 7 in Koragay, Afghanistan, when his unit was struck by enemy small-arms fire. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Bonner County residents wishing to pay their respect are gathering near the Big R in Ponderay around 10 a.m. today. Boundary County residents wishing to pay their respects are gathering near Boundary County Middle School.

The motorcade carrying Martin’s body is expected to pass through Bonners Ferry at about 11:30 a.m., according to Col. Tim Marsano, public affairs officer with the Idaho National Guard. The time of arrival is approximate.

Flags around Idaho are being flown at half-staff through Sunday to honor Martin as well as Anne Veseth, a 20-year-old Moscow woman, died when a tree fell and struck her last Sunday while she was working as a firefighter to contain a wildfire near the city  of Orofino.

Veseth and Martin are being interred by their families on Saturday.

Money raised by the Ethan Martin Memorial Fund will be donated to the Wounded Warriors Fund.

All funeral expenses for will be covered by military.

As a result, family members said they want to help other soldiers by donating all money to the fund. The fund provides support and comfort to military personnel returning home from war.

Donations to the account can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Noting that three soldiers were injured in the Aug. 7 attack in Koragay, Afghanistan, that killed his son, Harv Martin said the family wanted to do what it could to help other soldiers.

“We want them to know that others care,” he said.