POST FALLS - The Buck starts here with honoring and welcoming back our troops.

The Press, the cities of Post Falls and Lewiston and Buck Knives are teaming up on the Honor North Idaho National Guard Project fundraiser in support of soldiers returning from Iraq and their families.

About 270 soldiers from throughout North Idaho will be presented a commemorative Buck knife with the soldier's rank, name, unit and "Operation New Dawn" engraved during welcome home ceremonies in late October.

"It's a small token for our appreciation," Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin said. "A lot of people ask how they can help. This is a way to become involved. We hope people will step forward."

The Guard has armories in Post Falls, Lewiston, Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

Knife sponsorships are $38, which includes laser engraving and a leather scabbard. Organizers hope to raise about $11,000 within the next month to pay for the knives.

Buck Knives is donating the cost of the engraving and offering a discount on the knives.

"If people can't give $38, any amount is appreciated," said Paula Rehrmann, who is helping organize the drive. "It's whatever people think they can give. I think the soldiers should be honored for what they've done for us."

Brochures and donation forms are available at Post Falls City Hall or at www.postfallsidaho.org. Checks should be made to Buck Knives. None of the money will go toward the organizers.

Donations can be dropped off at city hall or sent to: Office of the Mayor, City of Post Falls, 408 N. Spokane St., second floor, Post Falls, ID 83854.

For more information, call Rehrmann at 818-1116.

A similar effort honoring local Guard troops returning from Iraq with a Buck knife was held in 2005. Local veteran Graham Crutchfield, who created the program with help from the Buck family and The Press, led that charge.

Idaho Army National Guard soldiers attached to the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team are returning in waves this month from the latest deployment.

The unit, which includes about 1,500 soldiers from Idaho, 600 from Montana and 600 from Oregon, is completing its year-long deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.

The soldiers are returning in groups of 200 to 300 to Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash., for out-processing. That process will take a week to a month, depending on the soldier.

The soldiers will then return to their homes in small groups, or even individually, by flying to local airports throughout the state.

How to help

Donations for the Honor North Idaho National Guard Project, a fundraiser to pay for commemorative Buck knives for local Idaho Army National Guard soldiers returning from Iraq, can be dropped off at Post Falls City Hall or sent to: Office of the Mayor, City of Post Falls, 408 N. Spokane St., second floor, Post Falls, ID 83854. Checks should be made to Buck Knives. Knife sponsorships cost $38, but any amount is appreciated. Brochures and donation forms are available at Post Falls City Hall or at www.postfallsidaho.org. For more information, call Paula Rehrmann at 818-1116.