Show your appreciation for area veterans Sunday

Area residents will have a unique opportunity this weekend to show their appreciation for 53 local veterans.

The Hayden Lake Yacht Club has partnered with the nonprofit Guardian Foundation to host a veterans breakfast and boat cruise that will take place Sunday.

Although the breakfast and cruise are not open to the public, yacht club members are encouraging people to show the veterans their appreciation and respect by waving and flying flags from Honeysuckle Beach as the boat parade cruises by, between 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.

In addition to underwriting the breakfast, founding Hayden Lake Yacht Club Commodore Dan Stephens is preparing an honor guard and trumpet salute for veterans and members at his dock. Other members and their neighbors will wave flags as the vets pass by in the boat parade.

Hayden Lake Yacht Club consists of 70 members that live on or near Hayden Lake. The HLYC provides a variety of member-only social activities during the summer season. This year, club members wanted to do something to a reach out within the community and give back.

"This is our first charitable event and I am extremely proud of the way our members embraced the idea of honoring our local wounded warriors," said Sue Baldwin, the current yacht club commodore.

The Guardian Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military veterans and their families. Its primary focus is to bridge the gap between today's immediate need and the time Veterans Administration benefits are received. The Foundation provides food, clothing, counseling referrals, education and job opportunities.

For more information on the Hayden Lake Yacht Club Veterans Breakfast and Boat Parade call Sue Baldwin at (208) 691-7642.