Local schools to honor veterans

SANDPOINT — Area schools will host several programs throughout the week leading up to Veterans Day to honor those who served.

"If we don't pass on what a veteran is to our youth, whether they get go into the service or not, pretty soon there will be no memory of us," said Bill Stevens, commander of the DAV Chapter 15 and United States Marine Corps veteran.

World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918, and a year later became known as "Armistice Day." In 1938, Veterans Day became a national holiday, celebrated on Nov. 11 to pay tribute to all Americans who honorably served their country.

Stevens said local schools have held programs for several years, but this is the first time events have been spread out for the week rather than all in the same day, with credit going to Shawn Woodward, superintendent of the Lake Pend Oreille School District, for sending out a district-wide notice.

"This way it gives all the kids a chance to see some veterans,"  he said.

Stevens said he and his wife plan to attend one or two programs each day, and all veterans and their spouses are encouraged to attend.

Monday, Nov. 7:

• 7 a.m. — Free breakfast at Northside Elementary School with a musical at 8 a.m.

• 8 a.m. — Sandpoint Christian School program.

• 2 p.m. — Veteran's Day Assembly at Sandpoint High School with guest speaker Bryan Hult, Bonner County veteran service officer.

Tuesday, Nov. 8:

• 9:10 a.m. — Coffee and donuts at Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School.

• 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — The Marine Corps League will have a ceremony in the Farmin Stidwell Gym. Free lunch will be held from 11:45 a.m. to noon. Call by Monday  for lunch reservations at 208-265-2410.

Wednesday, Nov. 9:

• 7:30 a.m. — Free breakfast for veterans at Sagle Elementary School with program beginning at 8 a.m.

• 7:30 a.m. — Free breakfast for veterans at Southside Elementary School — call for RSVP at 208-263-3020. Program begins at 8 a.m. with guest speaker Brian Hult, Bonner County Veteran Service Officer.

• 9 a.m. — Hope Elementary School program. Call for free lunch reservation at 208-255-7232.

• 11 a.m. — Free lunch for veterans at Kootenai Elementary School, with musical program beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10:

• 9:15 a.m. — Lake Pend Oreille High School program.

• 11-11:45 a.m. — Free lunch for veterans at Washington Elementary School, with a student program beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11:

• All-day breakfast for veterans at Stacey's Country Kitchen.

• All-day top sirloin dinner for veterans at Sweet Lou's.

• 7:30 a.m. — Breakfast at Alpine Vista Senior Apartments — call Julie for reservations at 208-265-4446.

• 10 a.m. — A memorial will be held at Memorial Field in Sandpoint. Everyone is encouraged to attend the memorial and bring any worn and tattered flags, which Stevens will gather for proper retirement.