THANK YOU, COEUR D’ALENE

by | Jul 19, 2025 | Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community

I don’t know if there are truly adequate words to express what we’ve felt as a community in the days following the horrific tragedy that unfolded on Canfield Mountain. On Sunday, June 29, we lost two of our brave firefighters to a senseless, unthinkable act of violence. Another faces a long journey of healing. These men answered the call to protect all of us, never imagining they were walking into a trap—never expecting that someone would set a fire with the deliberate intention of harming them.

It has left us shaken. Grieving. Angry. Heartbroken.

And yet—even in the darkest of times—I have witnessed something else, something far more powerful: an outpouring of love. A rising wave of compassion. A fierce, unwavering spirit of unity that makes me more proud than ever to call Coeur d’Alene home.

We have been on the front pages of international headlines before—but too often for the wrong reasons. There are narratives about our community that focus on division, extremism, or hate. And yes, we cannot ignore those parts of our history or current reality. But they do not define us.

What happened after June 29 shows who we really are.

We are neighbors who show up. We are strangers who embrace each other in the streets, attend processionals with tears in our eyes, and raise thousands of dollars to support grieving families. We are children drawing thank-you notes in crayon for our firefighters, and business owners offering food, services, and spaces for healing. We are people from every walk of life laying differences aside to wrap our arms around those who give so much to protect us.

That is the Coeur d’Alene I believe in. That is the heart of this community.

To the families of our fallen heroes, Battalion Chief’s John Morrison and Frank Harwood—please know your pain is not yours alone. We carry it with you. We hold you in our hearts. Your loved ones were not just firefighters; they were sons, fathers, friends, and community servants who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget their names or their bravery.

To Engineer David Tysdal and your family—our hearts and prayers are with you as you face the long road of healing in the months ahead. We stand beside you with unwavering support, strength, and hope for your full recovery.

To our first responders still working tirelessly despite fear and grief—thank you. We see you. We are with you.

To every resident who has donated, prayed, hugged, shown up, and stood up: thank you.

But now, as we slowly begin to process the shock and sorrow, we must ask ourselves: what comes next?

I believe this is our call to carry the unity we’ve felt these past two weeks into every corner of our community. Let us keep showing up for each other—not just in times of tragedy, but every day. Let us reject hate, division, and fear in all its forms, and instead choose kindness, courage, and empathy. Let us make Coeur d’Alene a place where everyone—residents, visitors, newcomers—feels safe, welcomed, and valued.

Let us be a community that sees beyond difference and leans into love. We are not perfect. But we are resilient. We are generous. We are capable of breathtaking compassion and strength.

And that is worth building on.

On behalf of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, and from the depths of my heart: thank you, Coeur d’Alene. Thank you for showing who you really are when it mattered most. Let’s keep going. Let’s be more. Let’s honor our first responders by living each day with more love, more courage, and more care for one another.

If you are looking for a way to make a direct impact, please consider donating to the Red & Blue Foundation, an incredible organization that provides much needed support to families of our fallen and injured firefighters, and offers vital mental health resources for our first responders.

You can give at any of the following links:

Let’s continue to stand shoulder to shoulder. Let’s keep lifting each other up.

With deepest gratitude and unwavering hope,

Linda Coppess, CEO and President