Hayden honors service and sacrifice

HAYDEN — Residents honored the past and present during Thursday's Veterans Day ceremony at McIntire Park. 

Cemented in the brick pavement surrounding City Hall are the names of 269 veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Family, friends, neighbors, and elected officials gathered around the park stage to hear about the history of Veterans Day and notable veterans in their community. 

"As a veteran, we honor and recognize those of us who have served in the U.S. military for their service and sacrifice that has kept our country safe and free," Hayden Veterans Commission Chair Gary Louie said. "Our debt to them can never be repaid, but our respect can be expressed by supporting them and their families."

Each year, Hayden residents submit nominations for the city's Distinguished Veteran of the Year. The award honors one individual who "epitomizes the spirit of 'Duty, Honor, and Country' both during their military service and continued service to the Hayden Community." 

This year's honoree and former U.S. Naval nurse Helen Kinder could barely fight back the tears as she took the podium.

"I'm so honored," she said. "I can't believe that I got this." 

Kinder spent 52 years in the nursing field, several at Naval hospitals. Between 1963 and 1965, Kinder served in the chest medicine ward at the San Diego U.S. Naval Hospital. There, she treated ill and dying soldiers' exposure to what was likely Agent Orange. 

After leaving the Navy, Kramer was an ICU nurse. She helped establish the first coronary care unit at San Diego Scripps Hospital. 

Kramer and her husband, Bill, moved to Hayden in 1979 to build their family. Her service heart led her to volunteer with St. Pius Catholic Church, North Idaho Veterans Stand Down, Blinded Veterans Association, and the American Legion.

The Kramers are also founding charter members of the American Legion Post 154 in Rathdrum.

"I would do it all over again. It was an amazing journey," Kinder said. "I'm thankful for all the veterans on Veterans Day."

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark Coppess, a Coeur d'Alene resident, served as an attack helicopter pilot for over 20 years. Retiring in 2020, Coppess returned home with his wife and children.

"As I look around, I can see there are many veterans in the crowd. I hope you get to reflect on the paths you took when you served your nation," he said. "I hope today in particular, you get a chance to reflect on what our nation stands for, the role you played in that, and that you take great pride in it."

Every day, the sons and daughters of American families are strategically deployed by the U.S. Armed Forces to "ensure peace, stability and our nation's interests," Coppess said. That security has not only benefitted Americans, he said, but nations across the globe for over a century. 

"These men and women, they're no different from those that have gone before them. They stand in the footsteps of our veterans today and reflect a remarkable mixture of skills, personalities, grit, and determination that makes our nation so great," he said. "And if you're a veteran here today, they're standing on your shoulders."

In Coppess' eyes, the work of the American Armed Forces has "preserved world order" and "restored nations."

"Most importantly, not just our freedoms, not just our deference, but there are millions of people alive today because of the veterans in our midst," he said.