Ruck honor flag launch at Colfax

An honor flag which is expected to make a cross-country journey made a launch at Colfax Sept. 25 as part of the "Rucks for the Fallen" program initiated by Sgt. Mitch Kriebel, Garfield/Palouse graduate who is now a master sergeant in the Army stationed in the Dallas, Texas, area.

Kriebel has done endurance walks carrying a ruck sack.

He has opted to start the red line flag here with instructions for fire departments to relay it across the country.

The flag honors Fire Capt. Michael Bell, who was fatally injured Sept. 16 when a propane gas explosion ripped through a facility that served people with disabilities in Farmington, Maine. Several other people, including other fire fighters, were injured by the blast.

The black and white honor flag features a red memorial stripe. Department volunteers planned to give the flag a sendoff at their Tuesday meeting and relay it to the Pullman department.

Kriebel and local residents are planing a big launch for the "Rucks for the Fallen" organization Nov. 30 in Oakesdale, while Sgt. Kriebel and his family will be there for Thanksgiving.

His mother and step-father are Marletta and Michael Sisak who reside between Oakesdale and Garfield, and his father is Randy Kriebel of Garfield.

Sgt. Kriebel's instructions for the flag to honor Capt. Bell call for departments across the country to always provide a front seat for the flag as it moves from stop to stop. Departments are encouraged to take group photos at each stop and relay them to Kriebel who will compile a report for the family in Maine.