A day of service and songs at veterans home in Post Falls

POST FALLS — Long after his Vietnam service ended, Jim Ray is still finding ways to serve.    

As part of this year’s VFW Day of Service, Ray brought in his bandmate, Norman Wilson, to perform for the residents Thursday at Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.  

The duo performs mainly western songs from the '40s, '50s and '60s, with a few original songs sprinkled into the mix. 

A member of VFW Post 1435 in Spokane Valley, Ray said this is the fourth year national VFW organizations have held the outreach event.  

“Rather than rake leaves, me and my partner wanted to play some tunes. We get the chance to visit with some wonderful folks," Ray said. “It grows a little bit every year.” 

Ray is a Vietnam veteran and served in the Marine Corps. He said he was excited to sing and play the guitar for his fellow veterans. 

The two men met working for the railroad, and Thursday was the debut of Ray’s new custom guitar, decked out in two railroad designs and roses carved into the wood. 

As the men played, some of the residents nodded along in time.  

“There’s nothing better than listening to some live music, even with a couple of guys making mistakes sometimes,” Ray said. 

He attributes Wilson with having the most musical background out of the two of them, but said they’ve always had to strum a tune no matter where life has taken them. 

“We just have a lot of fun, we both have played music all our lives and he comes from a long line of musicians,” Ray said. “He’s forgotten more about music than I’ll ever know.” 

The bar scene has never been an enjoyable place for Ray to perform in, so playing for residents at the veterans home offers a connection through music.

Plus, he’s developed some tricks to coax the residents into joining in with the performance.   

“We get them involved by telling them we don’t have any background singers," Ray said with a grin. 

    Norman Wilson and Jim Ray perform Thursday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls as part of the VFW Day of Service.
  

    Norman Wilson and Jim Ray play guitar as Ray sings for residents at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.