Fog outside, gratitude inside at Hayden Veterans Day ceremony

It may have been foggy outside, but the atmosphere at Hayden’s Veterans Day Ceremony was bright.

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Hayden residents filled McIntire Family Park to celebrate veterans. The ceremony was kicked off by the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Honor Guard presenting the colors followed by a performance of “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Skyway and Atlas elementary schools. 

Then, Paul Braden was honored as Hayden’s 2026 Distinguished Veteran.

Braden’s brother, Pat, praised him for his volunteer work, membership with the Elks Club and his help with the Idaho Veterans Assistance League.

He then introduced Paul, “the man, the myth, the legend, the senior chief petty officer, retired, my big brother.”

Paul called it an honor and was humbled to be bestowed such a title.

“I'm sure that there are other veterans out there who have done as much (as I have) and some who may have done more,” Braden said.

He spoke of being awarded 16 combat medals in Vietnam while serving with the Navy’s first attack helicopters as a crew chief gunner and time in the Civil Air Patrol.

“We were covering the forest in the (Mekong) Delta and there were moments of stark terror,” Braden said. “During my time in the Civil Air Patrol, I was honored to have cadets in the Naval Air Force and Coast Guard academies.”

Vietnam War veteran Randy Shierman appreciated the ceremony.

“I love the ceremonies because they're such a great way to honor my brothers and sisters who have served with me,” Shierman said. “I do what I can to help out in the community, so I think that's very important that serving the community was brought up. Service doesn't end when you take the uniform off.”

Karen Bowen, who authored two children’s books “Honoring Veterans: Serving Those Who Serve” and “The Torn Flag,” is not a veteran herself, but her father and son both served.

“My son has been in the Marines, served in Fallujah and is in the reserves now,” Bowen said. “He has to leave his family once a month and I think that Veterans Day is very important to recognize those who serve and thank them for their service.”

Hayden Mayor Alan Davis, who has 27 years of military service to his name, told the audience to never undervalue what the military does for the country.

“May we never take our veterans’ service for granted,” Davis said. “And may we honor our veterans not only today, but through the way we serve our families, our neighbors and our community.”

Paul Braden echoed Davis’s opinion.

“As long as we have an honorable military and supporting civilians, we can make this nation great and keep it safe,” Paul said.

    Hayden's 2026 Distinguished Veteran Paul Braden speaks at the city's Veterans Day Ceremony.
  

    Randy Shierman during the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem at Hayden's Veterans Day Ceremony.
  

    The Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Honor Guard prepares to present the colors at the Hayden Veterans Day Ceremony.