Help us pay tribute to our veterans

We want to honor our veterans, and we need your help.

As Veterans Day approaches, we are once again preparing a special keepsake publication dedicated to recognizing the men and women who have served our country in the United States military. This annual Veterans Day section is an opportunity to preserve local history, share personal stories and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans with ties to Kootenai County.

We are asking for the public’s help in making this publication as complete and meaningful as possible by sharing photographs, stories and service details of veterans in their families and communities. Whether they served during wartime or peacetime, at home or overseas, every veteran has a story worth telling.

If possible, please include the veteran’s full name, branch of service, years of service, rank, locations where they served and any notable details about their military experience. 

We also encourage submissions highlighting awards and recognitions they earned during their service, including honors such as the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross or the Medal of Honor.

In addition to individual veterans, we are gathering information on local military and veterans organizations, service groups, support programs and resources available to veterans and their families throughout our community. These organizations play an important role in serving those who have served us, and we hope to spotlight their work in this special edition.

Our goal is to create a lasting tribute that honors the courage, dedication and sacrifice of our local veterans. We want to ensure their stories are remembered and shared with future generations. Special recognition will be given to veterans who have received our nation’s highest military honors, but we welcome submissions representing all branches, eras and experiences of military service.

This special Veterans Day keepsake will be published in the Nov. 11 edition of The Press, serving as a community-wide tribute to those who answered the call to serve.

If you need a little inspiration about veterans and what they mean to America, here are a few quotes about veterans:

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A Veteran doesn’t have that problem.” — Ronald Reagan

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” — Eleanor Roosevelt 

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" — Maya Angelou, writer and civil rights activist who received the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

And finally, a favorite: 

“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” — Minot J. Savage

We look forward to helping tell the stories of Kootenai County’s veterans and honoring their service to our nation.

Please send photos, stories and service information to [email protected].