SANDPOINT — The Special Forces Association Chapter 25, the William B. Hunt Memorial Chapter, is once again offering a Veterans Day cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene with the purpose of bringing veterans together to celebrate the day.

“A lot of people confuse Veterans and Memorial Day,” said event organizer Ken Hunt of Sagle. “We always memorialize our fallen and friends that are gone, but Veterans Day is a day for veterans to remember living veterans, so it was really an effort of our chapter to get together with other veterans in the community.

“Kind of the rule within the chapter is you are supposed to invite another veteran who is not special forces. So we are all trying to do that just to increase the awareness out there.”

This is the second year the chapter has put on the event to provide a day for veterans to meet new people and have a good time on the lake, Hunt said. The cruise is open to all veterans, though available spots are filling up fast. There is currently about 15 spots left, and Hunt said registration will close Friday.

“We do have slots available and we would love more people to come,” Hunt said.

The “St. Joe Chicken Luncheon Buffet” will consist of crispy fried buttermilk chicken, buttery mashed potatoes with gravy, creamy coleslaw with raisins, macaroni salad, buttery green beans, watermelon, and fresh baked biscuits with honey. Iced tea and lemonade will be provided. There will be a full bar on the boat for anyone who wishes to purchase a beverage.

There will also be an auction to raise money to help offset the chapter’s portion of the cruise cost. Several items have been donated for auction, including an Allboro Berlin Strike knife, Sig Sauer ZULU 5 binoculars, cases of ammunition and a $250 gift card for Cabela’s.

The cost to veterans is $25 per person, which includes lunch. In support of the event the Coeur d’Alene Resort has locked in a group rate for the night of Nov. 11, with rooms in the North Wing at $159, the Park Tower at $189 and the Lake Tower at $239. Those going on the cruise can call 800-688-5253 to reserve a room at the discounted rate.

Setup for the cruise will begin at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, and passengers will begin boarding at noon. The cruise boat will depart from the dock at the Coeur d’Alene Resort at 12:30 p.m.

Veterans interested in participating in the cruise should contact Hunt prior to Friday to reserve a spot at 208-301-8152, or by email at [email protected].

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.