Birds of a feather

COEUR d'ALENE - As Al Holm and Dave Sheldon stood on the deck of the Mish-an-nock on Saturday afternoon, they shared what it means to be a veteran and what it means to hear a "thank you."

"If you're an American, you can kind of put yourself in our shoes," said 20-year Navy veteran Sheldon, 60, of Hayden. "We each took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and to defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that doesn't stop when we get out. Whether you get out after four years or after 20 years, you always feel that way."

More than 200 veterans, active military personnel and their families enjoyed the Veterans' Eagle Watch cruises on Lake Coeur d'Alene. The cruises were presented by the Bureau of Land Management in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and departed from the east side of The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk Marina.

"We wanted to recognize our veterans and active-duty military, and give them an opportunity to see our nation's symbol," said Suzanne Endsley, public affairs officer for the BLM in the Coeur d'Alene district. This was the fourth year for the cruises.

Holm, 78, of Hayden, fought in the Korean War. He said the main thing he wants to convey to people is his gratitude for being recognized for his service.

"The cruise is great, I really appreciate it. All of these things make you feel pretty good as a veteran," he said. "The Korean veterans are a little different than most the other ones. The Korean War has always been known as the Forgotten War. The poor guys from Vietnam came back and they were hated and spit on, and everything else ... when somebody like (Resort founder Duane) Hagadone comes along and does this for us, it's appreciated."

About 30 bald eagles could be seen during the afternoon cruise, including two juveniles that seemed to put on a show for the spectators as they chased each other around the treetops.

Veterans and military personnel from all branches and eras, including three World War II veterans, shared stories and experiences as they stayed warm in the cabin or braved the cold on the decks. Ann Jacobson of Post Falls stood on the upper deck with her son, Army veteran Chris Fifield of Spokane and mother Mary Hopkins, 94, who worked as an Army nurse in a psychiatric hospital during WWII.

"I want to thank BLM for doing this for the veterans, it's really a good thing," Jacobson said.

Wildlife educator Beth Paragamian gave a presentation during the cruise. She discussed eagle facts as Endsley and wildlife biologist Carrie Hugo showcased a few taxidermied birds, including a 90-year-old stuffed golden eagle. Curious kids looked with wide eyes as the former birds were carried around the room.

"It's a partnership between BLM and Fish and Game," Paragamian said. "And the Coeur d'Alene Cruises has been so generous to help us with these programs."