COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 has a lot to celebrate.

The post will toast its 90th year of its charter, its ladies auxiliary's 88th year and honor local Medal of Honor recipients and past and present VFW members Vernon Baker and Thomas "Tommy" Norris by dedicating its hall after the two during a sold-out dinner ceremony Saturday.

"Our members have been mayors, county commissioners, prosecuting attorneys and everything else," said Coeur d'Alene's Jim Shepperd, a World War II veteran and VFW member for 65 years.

"We've tried our best to do what we could to promote patriotism along with making sure our fellow veterans are taken care of."

The Coeur d'Alene VFW, which currently has 711 members, is one of the largest and oldest posts of its type in the state behind Boise.

It is older than the VFW's state department by 10 years and had as many as 1,600 members after World War II.

The VFW has been in its downtown building on Fourth Street since 1937.

Norris and Heidy Baker, Vernon's widow, will unveil the bronze plaque that will be placed above the post's entry doors to what will be named Medal of Honor-Memorial Hall.

Baker lived near St. Maries and died of cancer in 2010. He was the only living black World War II veteran of the seven belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor when it was bestowed upon him by President Bill Clinton in 1997.

Norris, who lives in the Hayden area, was one of three Navy SEALs to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.

"It is often lamented that our nation needs real heroes and role models for us to admire and emulate," said Rich Cesler, VFW commander. "The men who have received our nation's highest award for heroism certainly meet the criteria. In an age that worships sports heroes, movie stars and the rich and famous, Medal of Honor recipients stand out.

"By this lasting dedication we can only hope that our people, state and nation never forget their extraordinary service."

Heidy Baker said Vernon would be "very proud" of the moment and it's fitting that he and Norris will be honored at the same ceremony.

"They were good friends and I think it's wonderful that this is being done," she said. "They're absolutely heroes for what they've done."

Cesler said, with the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy winners and the Teacher of the Year also being announced on Saturday, the event promises to be filled with patriotism with about 80 expected to attend.

"It should be a really nice event," Cesler said.