Vietnam became real to me on an April morning in 1968.

Long before there were 24/7 news cycles or the Internet, the information and images of that distant war were sparse, especially in a small town in Idaho. In the sophomore hallway at Coeur d'Alene High School, students began speaking in hushed tones about our classmates Carnie and Jeff McArthur's brother. Steve McArthur had been killed in action in Vietnam and in that moment became the face of the war for me and many others.

The names of all of Kootenai County's hometown boys killed in Vietnam are etched on the black granite Killed in Action monument in the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Kootenai County courthouse. So much more than names ... the sons, brothers, husbands of our friends and neighbors, classmates. Lawrence Acre, Bill Blenkinsop, David Cinkosky, LeRoy Damiano, Steve McArthur, David Omstead, Russell Watson, Robert Wise, Thomas Funke, Franklin McNary, Robert Gordon, Howard Jones, Steven Nipp, Marshall Schaffner, Howard Waldron, Eugene Wolters - all giving their last full measure of devotion on the battlefield.

On Saturday the Kootenai County Veterans Council is hosting a Vietnam Veterans Tribute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of that war. More than 9 million men and women served in all the U.S. forces during the Vietnam era, with more than 5 million of those serving in Vietnam.

The tribute begins at 11 a.m. at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way. Keynote speaker is Purple Heart recipient Len Crosby, who served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam with the Army. Dave Sheldon will sing the National Anthem and wreaths representing all military branches will be placed.

A half-century after our Vietnam veterans returned from war, it's time we as a community and a country express our appreciation and gratitude for their service. Welcome home.

Bert and I attended the funeral for Pam Hubof on Tuesday and it was a full house at St. George's, including the entire PFHS state champion boys basketball team. Bob Hubof and his wife, Pam, didn't miss many Trojan home games through the years and Coach Mike McLean and the players didn't miss the opportunity to pay their respects to a loyal fan.

My sweet friend Anne Hagman celebrated her birthday on Monday. For those who know Anne, she's a passionate advocate of financial responsibility for STCU. Author Dave Ramsey is a rock star in her world. Anne's mother, Nancy Harlocker, bought a Mother's Day cake late Sunday for 75 percent off and used a Post-it note to write BIRTH, covering up the word Mother's written in icing on the top. Anne was delighted with her mom's thriftiness.

Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. the Post Falls Historical Society hosts a lecture at the Post Falls Library, The History of the Post Falls Dam. Avista representatives will make the presentation. Free and open to the public. Friday through Sunday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds is the third annual North Idaho Sportsman's Expo featuring something for all ages. Info: www.nidse.com.

Sunday, May 17 (Syttende Mai) at 1 p.m. the local chapter of the Sons of Norway will celebrate the anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution by raising the flag of Norway at Falls Park, a tradition that's taken place in Post Falls since 2001. A potluck lunch, music and cultural programs are open to the public.

It comes as no surprise to longtime readers or people who know me that May is my favorite month. What's not to love about turning the corner on a soggy spring, planting flowers and seeing those first buds and blossoms? Getting outside without a coat or sweater, the wonderful aroma of fresh-mowed lawns and the breeze in your face on a bike or with the convertible top down. Too early for biting bugs to be out but the birds are abundant and happy.

And birthdays ... yes, birthdays. I love birthdays, even when they're not mine but May happens to be the month of my birth and through the years I've gathered an abundance of names of people who share this birth month.

No matter the month of your birth, birthdays are the one thing we all have in common. That one day of the year when we can embrace the simple fact that we're alive and with any luck at all surrounded by family and friends. I'll never tire of celebrating life and the blessings of these past 63 years!

Happy birthday today to Kathy Hlebichuk, Steve Pollard, Tim Cushman, Judy Brooks, Charlie Morris and PJ Christo.

Sharing my May 14 birthday tomorrow are Williene Gagnon, Stephanie Davenport, KJ Torgerson, Jaime Cornwell, Macy Ducoeur, Mark Hemenway, Rita Preston, Randy McKahn, Jake Hobbs, Kathy White, Liz Ricciardi, Breanne Ruff, Kimberly Westrick, Kristi Messinger, Caren Easterly, Bill Ohlfs, Linda Green, Katie Bane, Mitch Bevacqua, Chrissy Johnson and Averie Barnes.

On Friday, Suzanna Spencer (50!), Lorri Gum, Patricia Braddock and Barbara Welch take another trip around the sun. Saturday birthdays belong to Diane Wahl, Kari Malkovich, Cindy Barnes and Michelle Richter. On Sunday Jared Janke, Shawntel Shofner (21!), Brad Enders and Christine Brannon will celebrate.

Monday is a banner day for Vicki Isakson, Jeanne Helstrom, Amy Corbett, Larry Carstensen, Tom Ball, Corky Chadderdon, Richard Alderman, Shaun Johnson and Tina Haskin. Putting their party hats on Tuesday are Tom Lien, Alison McArthur, Jill Nolan, Vera Brown, Julie Kohut, Jessica Smalley, Laura Stensgar, Tammy Rupinski, Burt Hissong and Rick Nowoj.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.