A day of honor

COEUR d'ALENE - Every year, Sue Sausser makes it to the Veterans Day ceremony in Coeur d'Alene.

And this year, despite winter-like conditions that saw temperatures in the 20s, icy roads and a biting wind, she made it again.

"We have a chance to honor them and see them," the Coeur d'Alene woman said. "I love the salute."

Sausser was among about 100 people who came out for the 11 a.m. ceremony on Sunday at Veterans Park. It was bit of a reunion with old friends.

"Some faces I recognize from being here every time," she said.

The 30-minute event featured the ringing of the bell, spirited singing by Winton Elementary's special chorus, and a short speech by veteran Jack Evensizer.

The Dalton Gardens man drew cheers and applause when he praised the performance of the students.

"This is the next generation for us, folks, so there is hope for the United states," Evensizer said.

He was pleased with the warm welcome on Veterans Day, but noted "it wasn't always so cheerful."

During the "dark days of Vietnam," he said protesters greeted returning military members with disdain.

"They would swear at us, throw things at us, generally disrespect us, disrespect the military," he said.

Patriotism, he said, was reinvigorated during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 that saw 52 Americans held hostage for more than a year when Jimmy Carter was President.

A rescue mission failed, Evensizer said, and resulted in the deaths of eight Americans.

Since, he said the U.S. has supported its military. Men and women returning from service in the Middle East have been greeted with parades, praise and park celebrations.

"So we've come full circle," he said. "Here we are today celebrating our Veterans Day."

Veteran Rich Burbine of Post Falls said it was a day to appreciate vets and what they did for their country, and a day to remember the sacrifices of the wars fought throughout the U.S. history.

He appreciated the turnout on such a chilly morning.

"It was nice to see," he said.

The chorus, for the second straight year here, sang several patriotic songs.

Nancy Mueller, Winton teacher, has long supported and worked with veterans. Her father, Neil Dammarell, was a Marine who served in World War II. Her school is known for its assemblies in honor of vets, particularly the one on Dec. 7 each year.

Many students have parents who serve in the military and are deployed overseas.

"I think it's really important for the kids to understand and see what our veterans have done for this country," Mueller said.