'They were like my brothers'

COEUR d'ALENE — Veterans of Foreign Wars Coeur d'Alene Post 889's celebration of its 101st anniversary Saturday night was a special evening.

"All these people working together made it what it was," said Commander Bob Martin.

With many dressed in 1920s attire, about 50 men and women enjoyed dinner, awards, prizes and a Medal of Honor recipient as the guest speaker.

Krystal Skinkle received the Veteran of the Year Award.

"It means they actually appreciate all the work I do," she said, laughing.

Skinkle is the post's adjutant, taking care of correspondence, financial information and planning events like Saturday's gathering.

Skinkle said VFW posts are traditionally a little solemn.

"I figure it needs a little fun, so I just add a little spice to it, keep the guys young, have some fun," she said.

An Air Force veteran jet mechanic, Skinkle served from 1989 to 1998 and fought in Desert Storm.

She said it was a male-dominated world.

"I worked my tail off to prove myself," she said. "Kind of like here, I was rewarded for it."

She said she still thinks daily about the people she fought with 32 years ago.

"They were like my brothers," she said. "I would go stand with them again. It's all about the camaraderie."

Skinkle said even though she served in a different era than most of the veterans at VFW Post 889, "there’s still that camaraderie."

Elijah Harrison received the Patriots Pen Award.

"I am proud to say that both of my grandfathers fought in World War II," he said.

Harrison said that according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 19 million veterans living in America.

"My pledge to them is that I will never forget the hardships they have endured to ensure that our nation remains the land of the free and the home of the brave," he said. "I will help, serve, and protect those veterans who are in need."

Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, whose distinguished military career includes the Medal of Honor, was the Guest of Honor.

In a 35-minute talk, he recounted his actions in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 28, 2013. ​

He was at the Forward Operating Base Ghazni when the complex was attacked. An explosion caused a breach in the perimeter wall and insurgents, some wearing suicide vests, came through.

In the face of fierce fire and outnumbered, with bullets and hand grenades landing near him, he engaged and killed several of the enemy while protecting other special operations soldiers.

Despite his own injuries, Plumlee fought on and carried a wounded soldier to safely.

"Throughout the entire engagement, Plumlee repeatedly placed himself in extreme danger to protect his team and the base, and to defeat the enemy," according to his military biography. "Plumlee’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."

Plumlee ended his talk with a simple, "That was my day."

He received a standing ovation.