Educator, Air Force veteran honored with Quilt of Valor
Bill and Helen Kinder sit surrounded by members of the honor guard after Bill received his Quilt of Valor Friday afternoon.
Also pictured: Bob Kernan,
Bryan Bledsoe, Todd Halvorson, Ken Johnson, Michael O’Donnell and Tim Chandler.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Bonnie Mitson and Kathy Whetstine of Patriotic Piecers present Bill Kinder a Quilt of Valor for his service in the Air Force as Helen Kinder watches.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Mitzi Cheldelin, of Idaho Division of Veterans Services, hugs Bill Kinder, congratulating him after Kinder received a Quilt of Valor Friday at Advanced Healthcare in Coeur d'Alene.
Also pictured: Helen Kinder.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Heather Montee shares about her father, Bill Kinder's Air Force service at a gathering where he was presented a Quilt of Valor.
Also pictured: Helen Kinder.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
COEUR d'ALENE — Wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words, “All gave some. Some gave all,” Bill Kinder recently received a Quilt of Valor.
As he was surrounded by his wife, Helen, friends and family in an outside courtyard at Advance Healthcare, the Patriotic Piecers celebrated Kinder’s service with the U.S. Air Force.
“It was just wonderful. I didn’t expect it,” he said.
He served in the Air Force from December 1959 to December 1963 and trained at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, later being stationed as a medic in Omaha, Neb.
His 35-year career centered around education, teaching math and U.S. history at Canfield Middle School and then moving on to Lake City High School as the library media specialist.
Kinder also mentored generations of student-athletes by coaching girls basketball at Canfield Middle School, Coeur d’Alene High School and Lake City High School.
His daughter, Heather Montee, said when Kinder had to go to a recent appointment for a broken shoulder, he was greeted by a familiar face.
Kinder's doctor was one of his former students who said, “'Thank you for the investment in me.”
He also worked in real estate and is an active member of American Legion Post 154 in Rathdrum, serving in the past as first vice commander and currently serves as District 1 central vice commander.
The Patriotic Piecers showed Kinder where his name and military service was sewn with love into his new quilt before draping it over his shoulders.
Montee said the quilt represented not only his military service, but a lifetime of dedication to his community.
“It means a lot to me that he gets this, it’s an honor,” Montee said.
Mitzi Cheldelin of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services was overjoyed to be there for the Kinders since they were among the first people who made her feel at home when she took her position four years ago.
She was feeling overwhelmed and had been charged to learn what veteran needs were across the state.
At a spaghetti dinner at American Legion Post 114, she was relieved to find people ready to welcome her.
“Everything across the state I’m doing with veterans, I feel like I might have given up if you guys hadn’t been so kind and gotten me off to that great start,” Cheldelin said.
Bonnie Mitson and Kathy Whetstine of Patriotic Piecers present Bill Kinder a Quilt of Valor for his service in the Air Force as Helen Kinder watches.
Mitzi Cheldelin, of Idaho Division of Veterans Services, hugs Bill Kinder, congratulating him after Kinder received a Quilt of Valor Friday at Advanced Healthcare in Coeur d'Alene. Also pictured: Helen Kinder.
Heather Montee shares about her father, Bill Kinder's Air Force service at a gathering where he was presented a Quilt of Valor. Also pictured: Helen Kinder.