Patriotic display reaches new home

POST FALLS — When Barb Nelson saw an elaborate collection of military pins and ribbons at a local business that's closing, she immediately thought the pins should be kept together and available for public viewing.

So, after seeing a photo of the collection in The Press last month, she rushed to Phil's Army and Navy Outdoor store in Coeur d'Alene to purchase the collection.

"I told (store owner Phil Motl) on the phone to hold it for me because I'd buy it (without seeing the entire collection)," she said.

Nelson believed the pins and ribbons — roughly 4,000 of them — should stay together rather than be sold individually, so they can be displayed for the public to enjoy for years to come.

"As soon as I saw it, I knew that I wanted to donate it to the future state veterans home in Post Falls," said Nelson, who is involved in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Inland Northwest Honor Flight, Kootenai County Veterans Council and Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

"Then, after I wrote the check, I thought, 'What if they don't want it?'"

There was another catch. The veterans home won't be built for at least five to seven years, so Nelson also began to wonder if the collection would only take up space in her garage until the facility is built.

Both of Nelson's concerns were alleviated when she contacted American Legion Post 143 members in Post Falls, who offered the post as the temporary home for the collection until the veterans home is built on the east side of Riverbend Commerce Park off Pleasant View Road on land donated by the Jacklin family.

Len Crosby, a post member who has also been involved in the vet home project, said the future facility would be a wonderful place for the collection.

"No matter what branch of the military you served in, you can find something relevant to your term of service in the collection," Crosby said. "When Barb told me about the idea, I thought it was fantastic. I think it's a great gift to all veterans, and it was bought for that purpose.

"It will be a great temporary location to the memorabilia at the post. It will be displayed in an honorary manner."

Nelson declined to say how much she paid for the collection, which was moved from the store to the Legion on Friday.

"The amount I paid for it is not important," she said. "A lot of people would be floored that I paid the amount that I did, but it was an appropriate amount for something that's really precious and needs to be preserved. I was prepared to hear more (about the price amount) than what I did so that was a relief. Phil probably sold it at a loss."

Nelson said when she first saw the cabinet and collection at the store she thought it was "absolutely gorgeous." She added it was even more elaborate than what was shown in the Press photo.

Nelson said she's proud to be a part of something veterans and the public will enjoy for generations to come and perhaps the collection can be expanded if families want to have pins or ribbons displayed.

"It's an honor to be a part of this and it will be fun to see the cabinet at the Legion and veterans home," she said.

The collection can be viewed at the Legion from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. If veterans see a pin in the collection from their time of service and they'd like to order one for themselves, they can contact Nelson at IdahoBarb208@gmail.com. Military service documentation will be required.

Nelson became teary-eyed when thinking about veterans' service and why she purchased the collection.

"I've had a wonderful life and enjoyed freedoms," she said. "I can't do enough to pay them back. We have so many freedoms that people in many other countries don't enjoy."