Gidlund named Hayden Citizen of the Year

Through the years, Carl Gidlund has worn many different types of hats, but last weekend he earned a new one - Hayden Citizen of the Year.

The designation was bestowed on the retired lieutenant colonel Saturday during his home city's Hayden Days celebration.

Gidlund told The Press he was surprised and flattered by the honor.

"I didn't think I did anything more than other people," he said.

Gidlund served in both the United States Army and the U.S. Air Force, and served in the Special Forces during the Vietnam War. He was also a smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service.

"That's how I worked my way through the University of Montana," he said.

Gidlund holds a master's degree in journalism and worked as a reporter and editor for two newspapers in Alaska.

He has lived in Hayden for 16 years, and wrote as a correspondent for the Spokesman-Review.

It is his recent volunteer service on behalf of veterans that moved Wayne Syth to nominate Gidlund for the Hayden honor.

"He well deserved it. He's real active on the city of Hayden's Veterans Affairs Commission," said Syth, leader of the Kootenai County Veterans Council Honor Guard that Gidlund serves on.

He said Gidlund is never too busy to step in and do whatever is necessary to ensure that a veteran is laid to rest with the appropriate honor - serving as chaplain, bugler or rifleman.

Recently, a pair of A-10 jets flew up from Boise to fly over Hayden's Memorial Day Services before heading back south.

"That was Carl's doing. He worked endlessly on that," Syth said.

Gidlund also leads a group of veterans who go out and power wash veterans' headstones in the cemeteries.

Gidlund's service as a Hospice of North Idaho volunteer was also noted by Syth.