VETERAN: Honored during parade

I am a veteran of the Vietnam war. I volunteered for the draft, got called up and served 16 months in the Central Highlands from 1966 into 1968. I don’t wear anything that would indicate that I had been in the military. I did my job, I’m proud of my service and that’s that.

My wife and I, and some members of my family attended the Fourth of July parade and watched all of the celebration of our 250th. We had a great time. At one point something happened to me that in my 80 years has never happened before. A young woman, I think a Coeur d’Alene High School cheerleader, asked if I was a veteran. I said yes, she reached out and shook hands with me. I was taken aback by this kind gesture. Then I noticed that a large number of the CDA High School football team had lined up and in turn shook my hand and thanked me for my service. If any of that group reads this, I hope I identified you correctly. I want you to know that I was deeply touched by what you did.

We live in a crazy world. In many respects more complex and divided, nonsensical and sad than at any other time in my lifetime. My point is that if our brief interaction on the Fourth is an example of who you are, I think we’re going to be OK. Thank you.

TERRY MONANYE

Coeur d’Alene