IDAHO FALLS – A small collection of emotional stories poured out Thursday during a recognition lunch honoring the men and women of the Air Idaho Rescue.

“What a miracle we have in this community having all these primary first responders,” said Bob Hoff of Idaho Falls, who spoke during Thursday’s event at the Aero Mark main hangar at Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

Hoff said he nearly lost his grandson, Kale, “27 times” during an Air Idaho Rescue flight from Idaho Falls to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

The young boy was first rushed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for a severe cough. Doctors quickly realized that the specialized care at Children’s was best for Kale’s condition.

That was 13 years ago.

On Thursday, Hoff asked flight nurse Christie Combs Abbott to

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