Veterans Day plans set; 99-year-old sailor, USAF nurse to get quilts

At 11 a.m. Monday, on the 11th day of the 11th month, 106 years after the guns fell silent, marking the end of the war to end all wars, the people of Boundary County invite and welcome all in the county who is serving or who has served in any of our nation’s military forces, be you resident, guest or just passing through, to stand and be recognized for your service on Veteran’s Day.

American Legion Post 55 Commander Joseph Knight, a veteran of the U.S. Army, is organizing this year’s observance, taking place at the Boundary County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, which he will host and call to order. Navy veteran Jeffrey Phillips will give the invocation, Air Force veteran Tom Chaney will call the American Legion Color Guard in the presentation of colors and the Bonners Ferry High School Choir will sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Following recitation of “Pledge of Allegiance,” the High School Choir will perform “My America” as written by Samuel F. Smith and revised by Joyce Eilers.

Air Force nurse JoAnn Danner will deliver the Veteran’s Day speech, after which she’ll be joined by Navy veteran Edward Belakiewicz, a Community Restorium resident who recently celebrated his 99th birthday, to receive this year’s beautiful honorary Veteran’s Day quilts from Bonners Ferry quilter Margaret Payette.

The Color Guard will be called to attention, Air Force veteran Ron McIlnay will sound taps. Navy Veteran Ben Apo will ring the bell and the color guard will retrieve the colors.

Tartan and Thistle will then serve lunch, free to all veterans and by donation to all who would give.

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