MEAL: Thanks to all involved

Thank you Coeur d'Alene, for making our second annual Vernon Baker Memorial Day Free Veteran's Lunch a huge success. Free meals were served to 169 local veterans, prior service and active duty military, because of the generosity and volunteer attitude of this community.

Every year, at the Memorial Day services in town, I see so many aging veterans withstanding inclement weather and crowds to remember their fallen comrades. It is my goal to provide them with a good meal and a place to share stories, on that day.

I would like to thank the following local restaurants for volunteering costs and labor to feed our local heroes a meal in thanks for their selfless service: Jimmy's Down the Street, Michael D's Eatery, Fedora's Pub & Grille, Kelly's Irish Pub, KC's Breakfast Club, Capone's (Coeur d'Alene) and the Fourth Street Taco Time.

I also need help in coordinating this event and greeting veterans and taking RSVPs. Patti Leach, Julie Bailey, Scarlet Jordan, Angela Couch and Ed O'Hara are all fellow employees at Edward Jones and they all took time away from their busy schedules to handle the logistics of this lunch. Like our need for volunteers and restaurants, we could not put this event on without generous community donors. I would like to recognize Eric Soles, Daryl and Louise Soles, Charlie and Patti Leach, Richard and Julia Leach, Edward and Susan Leach, R.R. Bradley & Associates, Patricia Richardson, Rod Clugston, Carl and Sally Gidlund and Kevin Smith for donating a combined $850, which will be distributed to our participating restaurants to help offset costs.

Last but certainly not least, thank you to our 169 participating veterans and all prior service, active duty and protected veterans everywhere. We truly thank you for all of your service and sacrifice for our great nation. Everyone please support and patronize the businesses and people listed above. They are working hard to support our great community.

ERIC SOLES

Coeur d'Alene

MEAL: Donors appreciated

This past Memorial Day, Capone's Pub & Grill, Fedora Pub & Grille, Jimmy's Down the Street, KC's Breakfast Club, Kelly's Irish Pub, Michael D's Eatery and Taco Time on Fourth Street, opened their doors and welcomed active duty military personnel and veterans to a free meal in appreciation of their duty and sacrifice to this great nation of ours.

Eric C. Soles, of Edward Jones Finances, marshaled not only the eateries, but financial donors who donated more than $800 to help defray the cost of serving 169 meals. Angela, Ed, Julie, Patti and Scarlet, coworkers of Eric, also assisted in verifying the identities of the veterans.

On behalf of the Coeur d'Alene VFW Post No. 889, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Eric, his coworkers, the various financial donors and the eateries for the warmth, hospitality and services that were extended.

WILLIAM TAYLOR

Coeur d'Alene

TEACHER: A passion for music

The end of the school year is upon us and it is time to say thank you to all of the teachers for all they do. One comes to mind and that is the amazing choir teacher at Ramsey Elementary. I have volunteered over the years in the district and I have never seen a teacher have so much control over his students as well as receiving so much respect from his students. He is so excited about music and his passion certainly shines!

I wish I knew how to get him a teacher of the year award as he deserves it. Because of him my daughter had the nerve and confidence to try out for the talent show singing and she even blew her brothers and I away! I want to Thank Mr. Normington for being such a passionate amazing teacher who changes the lives of students every day! You are an amazing individual and our school and school district is very lucky to have you.

REBECCA OSBORNE

Coeur d'Alene