More than one way to serve
Marla Hall Clark Fork Valley | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 6 months AGO
THOMPSON FALLS resident Nick Laverl displays his 1986 Model 923 A-1 at the Homesteaders Days Car Show in Hot Springs this weekend. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
A FLAG honoring all branches of the United States military hangs on the roof inside the cab of Lavel’s truck. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Nick Laverl
One of the highlights of the Hot Springs Homesteader Days Car Show was a giant truck—a 1986 American General Model 923 A-1 to be exact. Formerly a crew carrier for the U.S. Army, the truck is now owned by Nick Laverl of Thompson Falls, who has outfitted the truck with flags and other memorials honoring our veterans. Due to physical disabilities, Nick was not able to serve in our armed forces, but has made it his life’s purpose to pay tribute to our veterans.
A little over a year ago Nick was driving from Thompson Falls to Kalispell and spotted the giant truck along the road. He stopped in to talk with the owner and a little “horse trading” later, he became the owner of the ‘American General’. Once he got the truck home he recalled a flag that had been given to him by a neighbor in thanks for him helping her out and when he opened the flag he noted that it was an ‘American Veterans Disabled for Life’ memorial flag. That was the inspiration for what was to follow. First, the truck was painted black to honor the sacrifices of the permanently disabled veterans and some graphics were added. Next, a friend of Nick’s from ‘One Off’ graphics used patriotic photographs found on-line to create several panels, which were placed around the bed of the truck. The original memorial flag was then hung on the inside roof of the cab and the truck was ready to journey to memorial services and parades to honor fallen heroes.
The first service that Laverl attended with his memorial truck was for Army Cpl. George G. Simmons, a WWII soldier from the Bitterroot Valley who died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines in November of 1942. It had taken 74 years to get Simmons’ remains returned to the U.S. for proper burial and to rest peacefully in America. Nick says that when he returned to his truck, which he had quietly parked near the services to honor the vet, he found a folded flag someone had left to thank him for his tribute. Laverl was also honored to drive his truck to lead the memorial procession honoring Montana veteran Army Airforce gunner, David Thatcher, one of the last two Doolittle Raiders that bombed Japan in WWII.
In addition to taking his truck to memorial services to honor individual veterans, Laverl also has paid tribute to veterans by driving his truck in several parades, including ones in Spokane, Clark Fork, Idaho as well as several Montana towns. At the Hot Springs Homesteader Days Car show, Nick was asked to ‘bring up the rear’ in the parade of cars and then his truck was used as the platform for giving out the trophies after a moment of thanks to our veterans.
Nick says that he always felt bad that his physical disabilities had prevented him from being able to serve in the military and that he feels joy at being able to honor our veterans by using his truck to pay tribute. He is ever grateful to all of our veterans and has special, heartfelt compassion for veterans and their families who have had their lives shattered in a single moment as they served our country. Nick currently uses his Social Security disability checks to fund his patriotic missions to honor our heroes and says he is driven to continue his tributes by the ‘thumbs up’, smiles, and salutes he receives as his giant American General truck serves as a vehicle of honor and remembrance.
ARTICLES BY MARLA HALL CLARK FORK VALLEY
Helping generate a new generation of pilots
Pilots and car enthusiasts landed in Plains this past Saturday to share their gleaming vehicles of air and road with over 300 admiring fans of all ages. The event also drew a crowd for a pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser supporting a $500 scholarship given annually to a student wishing to pursue a career in aviation—as a pilot or mechanic. That scholarship, sponsored by the Sanders County Hanger group of the Montana Pilots Association and overseen by Dan Lilja, awarded this year’s scholarship to Cuahtemoc Rivera of Heron, Mont. who wants to pilot long range, hauling airplanes.
Circus performers bring smiles of delight
First-time circus visitors were obvious if not by their mere age, then by their eyes brightened with cautious curiosity at the new sights, sounds, and smells as they waited in line to enter the Big Top in Thompson Falls last week. As the audience built in numbers, the circus performers interacted with the kids both outside the tent and inside. Although many spectators may not have been aware, those working at the pony ride and bouncy houses as well as those painting faces and selling circus popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs were the same members of the Culpepper and Merriweather troupe who entertained in the circus ring.
Cyclists in Thompson Falls Saturday were 'pedaling with a purpose'
Montana is a popular destination for cyclists who want to experience the beauty of nature up close, but some of those cyclists also ride for other motivations. This year marks the 30th anniversary that members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, from chapters across the country, have pedaled across the U.S. working to raise funds for “The Ability Experience,” which supports people with disabilities. The 38-member team—30 riders plus eight crew, that was making its way from Thompson Falls to Missoula on Saturday is one of three cohorts traversing from the West to the East coast. The fraternity anticipates raising $650,000 through their “Journey of Hope” philanthropy this year.