Honoring a fallen soldier

A special funeral procession made its way through Thompson Falls Saturday. Members of the armed forces came to Sanders County to honor one of their fallen, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Kelly James Scott Brigham.

Brigham attended Thompson Falls High School before moving to Beaverton, Oregon, to graduate. From there he began his career in the Army, serving honorably. When retirement time came, he chose instead to transfer into the Warrior Transition Unit. Brigham passed away this month after a battle with cancer. A ceremony was held in accordance with Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act, which compels the United States Armed Forces to provide honors in a military funeral for any eligible veteran.

The procession began at the Thompson Falls Rural Fire District's firehouse before Thompson Falls City Police escorted the line of vehicles carrying family and friends of Brigham through town. The caravan passed the high school, arriving at the adjacent cemetery. The funeral party made their way to the flagpole, where a detail of three rifle-bearing soldiers stood at ease with a lone bugler, and no less than a dozen members of the military in dress uniform were waiting.

After a few words were spoken on Brigham's behalf, the riflemen took orders firing a volley of three shots into the sky. Tradition holds that there are always an odd number of riflemen in the salute, and as per federal law "taps" was played. With no keys on the instrument, the player uses the tightening of lips and control of airflow to produce the somber tune. The final note faded into the overcast sky with perfect tone.

A ceremonial folding and presenting of the flag to Brigham's widow, daughter and parents took place, interrupted only by solitary sobs drawn from the beauty of the duty being performed by brothers and sisters in arms. The family clutched their presented flags and held on to each other as the presenting officer stoically saluted each recipient in thanks, honor and acknowledgement of their loss as a family. With grave faces and dutiful movements, honor was given to Brigham and his family, as well as the town from which he hailed.