Baker helpers recognized
<p>Heidy Baker, center, and Pam Katos share stories with Virignia Balser, left, following a Spirit of Idaho Award presentation Monday at the American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls. Katos accepted one of the handful of awards given on behalf of her husband who is serving with the National Guard in Mississippi before being deployed to Iraq.</p>
POST FALLS - That's the spirit.
Many of those who contributed to Vernon Baker's family for home improvements and travel arrangements to attend the World War II Medal of Honor recipient's burial at Arlington National Cemetery were recognized by Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, on Monday with Spirit of Idaho awards during ceremonies in St. Maries and Post Falls.
"This is what Idaho is all about," said Crapo, while gathered among about 20 volunteers, some teary-eyed over the project. "Thank you for making Idaho such a special place. You've come together to help without seeking glory."
Baker, who was the last surviving African-American Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died in July at 90 after a six-year battle with cancer.
Fundraising to make improvements to his home outside St. Maries preceded his death and kicked into high gear afterward.
Those who received a certificate from Crapo and an American flag that flew over the nation's Capitol included: American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls, Legion Post 25 in St. Maries, Benewah County Commissioner Jack Buell, ElderHelp of North Idaho's John Corcoran, Small's Construction and Ray Katus and Ken Reiswig of the National Guard.
The Idaho National Guard raised $9,100 before turning over the fundraiser to Post 143 due to being deployed. About $14,000 in additional funds came in after Baker's death.
The project has paid for several improvements, including a roof, porch, drainage, sheetrock and wood shed, to the St. Maries-area home of Baker's widow Heidy, her daughter, Alexandra Tawlik, and Tawlik's 10-year-old son, Vernon.
Two trips to Washington, D.C., have also been paid for for the three.
The first was to attend Baker's burial at Arlington National Cemetery and one is this week for a Halloween party at the White House. During the first trip, the White House turned the family away from a West Wing tour when Vernon Tawlik was wearing shorts and a T-shirt of Vernon Baker. The White House apologized and invited the family back.
Other assistance included 10 cords of delivered wood. Another three cords will be delivered next week.
"I think we're all doing the right thing," said Corcoran, who led the wood effort.
John Dunlap, commander of American Legion Post 143, said if funds are left over, they will be spent on paying Heidy's taxes for a year, or meat.
"We'd like to put a cow in your freezer," Dunlap told Heidy, who placed her hands over her mouth in disbelief.
Heidy attended both ceremonies.
"This has been absolutely wonderful and it's been totally unexpected," Heidy said at the Post Falls event. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Dunlap said as soon as Baker died and word got out that the family needed assistance for travel and home improvements, support from all over the country poured in.
Small's Construction donated hours to the project.
"It's been an awesome feeling to help out," said owner Jim Small.