When Barb Nelson saw that the local Army and Navy Outdoor store was going out of business and selling its elaborate military emblem collection, she bought it sight-unseen.

"I thought, 'This just can't go into somebody's basement," the Coeur d'Alene woman said.

Nelson, who is involved in multiple local veterans' organizations including Inland Northwest Honor Flight, Daughters of the American Revolution, Kootenai County Veterans Council and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, bought the emblem cabinet for the future state veterans' home in Post Falls.

But, after she purchased it, she realized the facility won't be built for several years so she needed to find a place to store it.

That's when American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls agreed to be the temporary home for the cabinet and, after Nelson overcame the next hurdle by rounding up volunteers to move it, the showcase ended up there.

"When I left a message with Len (Crosby of the Legion), his first words to me were, 'You're a woman of action,'" she said with a laugh.

Indeed, Nelson has been a woman of action when it comes to honoring veterans.

"I've had a wonderful life and enjoyed freedoms," she said, referring to why she's involved. "I can't do enough to pay them back. We have so many freedoms that people in many other countries don't enjoy."

Nelson isn't a veteran, but her father Elmer served stateside in the Navy for four years and in the Army Air Forces for four years. Her cousin John Griffith served in the Vietnam War.

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Today is Patriot Day, a national day of remembrance for the 2,977 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. What does today mean to you?

I still can't bear to see the towers come down. I lived in New York City out of college when I was a flight attendant, so I was there when construction began on the towers. Once you've lived there, New York City is like no other place. It was such a violation to have someone destroy not just the buildings, but lives and businesses. The towers were a symbol and destruction of them was an ultimate statement. It left a mark on our country, but I'm glad that there has been so much healing during the past 15 years. It's something that we should never forget and, unfortunately, (terrorist threats) are not over yet.

Did you know anybody who worked in the towers?

I had friends who worked for J.P. Morgan, so I kept watching the deceased list. They got out.

What was your upbringing like?

I grew up on a cul-de-sac in Omaha (Neb.) where all of the families became close and they still are today after all these generations. None of the wives worked and all of the men developed substantial careers. The families helped each other in every way. Nobody had to lock their doors. When I go back to see my mom, the girls still have a mini-reunion. It keeps the bond alive.

Did that tight-knit upbringing translate into why you are involved with veterans' groups today?

I have a background of being neighborly. I like people and I like to be helpful. I appreciate friends.

What did you do for a career?

I had several jobs, including working as a teacher, flight attendant, for Revlon, and executive assistant at a bank and Realtor. Being a flight attendant was the most fun. Being the executive assistant for the president, chairman and CEO of a bank (called FirsTier Financial Inc.) was the most challenging and rewarding. I started working when I was 15 as a cashier at a swimming pool and worked through college and during vacations.

How did you first get involved with veterans organizations?

My mother was a genealogist and had friends who encouraged her to join Daughters of the American Revolution. She kept encouraging me to join, but the time wasn't right, I didn't have the motivation and I was younger than the women involved. But, after I moved to Denver, I went to a couple meetings and applied for membership in 2006.

What made you want to be involved after joining?

One of the projects we worked on was Homes for Troops. I immediately took an interest in it. We helped build homes in the Denver area for three double amputees. They have physical limitations, but no character limitations. We got a chance to meet their wives. I have such a deep appreciation for what they did. They almost gave the ultimate sacrifice.

How have you been involved in the local Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the DAR?

I chair three committees, including Service for Veterans, Project Patriot that helps men and women currently serving and Commemorative Events. Through the Service for Veterans Committee, I've worked with the Department of Defense on a three-year commemoration of the Vietnam War. We also hold a fundraiser at Applebee’s for Honor Flight in June and we have members sign holiday cards for the patients at the VA Hospital. We're always thinking of something new to do for veterans. Through the DAR, I learned about Honor Flight.

You were a guardian to two Korean War veterans in April during the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to allow the vets to visit memorials. What was that experience like?

They were the nicest and humblest people. It was touching to watch them take it all in. The veterans revived memories with each other and relived some things that were terribly challenging and terrifying. I was an onlooker, but I was able to observe all the sharing and what the trip meant to the veterans. It was a very unique experience to learn firsthand how much their service impacted their lives and who they are. They were so appreciative to be able to go.

How does the Kootenai County Veterans Council serve veterans?

The council consists of representatives from veterans' organizations throughout the county. We network to find our ways we can help each other. For example, I will represent Honor Flight at a display booth at the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action dinner at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Friday. All the friendships you make at the council is so valuable. When I organized the Vietnam commemoration, the community and other groups really responded. The support comes in from so many directions. There's a lot of name recognition to things I've done, but it's become increasingly easy for me to gain help.

With the military emblem cabinet at the American Legion in Post Falls, you started U.S. Military Emblems LLC. How does it work if a veteran is missing a certain emblem or wants to replace a damaged one?

I set myself up as a dealer. Veterans can visit the display, which has about 4,000 pins and emblems in it. They can obtain my information in the display, contact me and show me their discharge papers that have their awards listed on them. I will then order the award and I'll only charge the veteran what I pay for it. I'll also pay the shipping. I didn't go into it to make money. I just want to give.