Hayden Veteran of the year
Veterans, from left, Bill Maroney, Dennis Dodd, Chris Spatz and Randy Weiss participate in the Memorial Day ceremony at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens in May.
BILL BULEY/File Photo
Christopher Spatz is set to be honored as the 2023 Distinguished Veteran of the Year at 11 a.m. today during Hayden's 17th annual Veterans Day Ceremony at McIntire Family Park.
Spatz's military journey began in 1990 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a mortarman until his honorable discharge in 1997. His service included deployments in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Central and South America, earning him several awards and medals for both combat and non-combat actions.
When he relocated to North Idaho after his first discharge, Spatz longed for the discipline and camaraderie of the U.S. Armed Services. In 2001, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Afghanistan.
While stationed there, the vehicle Spatz was traveling in was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device, resulting in severe injuries, including a broken arm, fractured ribs, a collapsed lung and traumatic brain injury, leading to his honorable medical discharge.
Since returning to North Idaho, Spatz has been an active member of Pappy Boyington Marine Corps Detachment No. 966, dedicating his efforts to assisting veterans causes. He has contributed to the Kootenai County Marines Toys for Tots campaign, supporting underprivileged children in the region.
The guest speaker for this year's Veterans Day ceremony in Hayden will be Capt. Bill Muck with the United States Air Force.
Names of those on newly installed pavers in the PFC Robert J. Gordon Memorial Plaza will be announced.
The public is invited to attend.