BAKER: Honor richly deserved

Upon reading the editorial about Richard Baker, I thought I would add my two cents about this wonderful, giving man.

I first met Richard three years ago as he was leaving a local grocery store. As he was wearing his ever-present Navy Seabees ball cap, I thanked him for his service, introduced myself, gave him my card and invited him to lunch sometime.

The next time we met was two years later at my first American Legion meeting. We really hit it off well; we have an identical sense of humor where one feeds off the other. It's funny to see an 80-year-old man get chastised for spouting a priceless one-liner during a meeting.

Last summer we were asked to provide a Color Guard for the American Legion World Series. When we had trouble coming up with the required number of people, Richard volunteered, even though it was very difficult for him physically.

The guy gives hours and hours of his time to comfort and humor people in our community. His life is centered around what he CAN do, not his limitations. Two weeks ago, he played golf, something he hadn't attempted in 25 years. Played well, too!

Richard is a kind, honest, witty and caring person, whose friendship I am privileged to have. The award he received as American Legion Legionnaire of the year for the entire state of Idaho was richly deserved. I was seated next to him at the time, and this humble man nearly lost it in disbelief!

Thanks, Richard.

DAVE SHELDON

Hayden