To honor the memory of Nick Grachanin
Dear Editor:
Most if not all of your readers will have heard the tragic news of the crash of a small plane in north central Washington on Saturday, October 10th, that claimed the lives of the pilot, Nick Grachanin, and his passenger friend, Jim Marek.  This letter is a personal attempt to offer tribute to both men, as we also extend our deepest condolences to their shocked and bereaved families.
I knew Nick Grachanin for the past 25 years - - just casually, perhaps, but well enough to long admire the generous, loving service he so joyously provided to so many, throughout this broad community, across several counties of the inland northwest.  Not only did Nick love to fly, but he loved to teach other young aeronautics enthusiasts to fly, as well.
Many are the days of perfect spring and summer weather that I have enjoyed watching from my own back yard as a small plane would rise repeatedly over the horizon and encircle the skies above our Woodland community.  In all those times, I would be thinking of Nick, quite sure that it was he up there, instructing and demonstrating his expert control of that plane.
Today in his sudden absence, however, the hearts of all who knew and loved this very good man are heavy with loss, yet thankful for the kind and selfless friend that he was.
While meeting with a small group of friends shortly after October 10, I asked if any of them had known Nick Grachanin.  One friend replied a quick yes, and what he then shared served to remind me of something I had learned about Nick myself many years earlier, but had forgotten.  It was that Nick's countless hours of flight instruction were always gratis; he never charged for personal services! 
So, we greatly thank you, Nick, and bid you fond farewell.  Go fly the endless heavenly skies now, until hopefully we will meet again, somewhere out there in God's great beyond!
Carol Asher
Kamiah