The Veterans Club Dispatch-April 26, 2026

Veterans & First Responders Weekly Update

President’s Message

This past week was one of those moments where you can feel something real taking hold.

Thirty-three of us gathered around the table at Cultura for an evening of great Mexican food and even better conversation. No agenda, no pressure—just veterans and first responders sitting together, sharing a meal, telling stories, and enjoying the kind of connection that’s hard to put into words but easy to recognize when you’re in it. That’s what this is all about.

And it’s growing.

Last week we launched our second Post Falls chapter, now meeting Thursdays at 11:00am at American Legion Post 143. A new table, new conversations, new friendships beginning to take shape. That’s how this movement spreads—one cup of coffee, one introduction, one story at a time. Bring a guest this week. Someone you think might benefit from sitting down with people who understand.

On Monday, I’ll be meeting with a group at the Sandpoint Elks Lodge to begin organizing a new chapter in Sandpoint. The word is getting out. People are seeing what happens when you simply create space for connection—and how powerful that can be.

We often say we’re working to end suicide among veterans and first responders. That’s a big statement. But our approach is simple: we build relationships. We share stories. We show up for each other, week after week. To my knowledge, we are the only national organization focused on both veterans and first responders in this way—and it’s working.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a Patriot Pour in your own community, I’d welcome that conversation. Reach out to me directly at ed@theveteransclub.org. It doesn’t take much to get started—just a willingness to show up and invite others to do the same.

And speaking of stories…

We’re getting close to publishing the first non-fiction volume from Still on Watch. George and Kary have been putting in the hours—sitting down, listening, and capturing the real stories that deserve to be told. These are the stories that remind people they’re not alone.

If you’ve written something—or have a story that’s been sitting in the back of your mind—we’d love to talk with you about publishing it. Reach out to me at info@stillonwatch.net.

This is how we do it.

We gather.
We listen.
We share.

And somewhere in that simple rhythm, lives begin to change.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NIC Spring Jazz Concert 2026 – April 28 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – NIC. Info

Sharp Conversations & Coffee with Law Enforcement at Buck Knives – April 30 | 9:00am – 11:00am.  Info

Guns & Hoses Hockey Match – May 2 | 4pm at Frontier Ice Arena

North Idaho Stand Down 2026 – May 16 | 8:00am to 1:00pm.  Info

Celebration of Life for Ray Bassler – May 16 | Noon to 3pm.  Info

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

June 13 – Kootenai County Sheriff Community Event

– Women’s Veterans Day

July 25 – The Veterans Club 2nd Annual BBQ Celebration

Aug 2 – National Night Out

Dec 5 – Christmas Dinner/Party

PATRIOT POUR – Weekly Chapter Meetups

Patriot Pour is the heartbeat of The Veterans Club — a weekly coffee meetup where veterans and first responders gather for real conversation, steady encouragement, and authentic connection.

No dues. No pressure. Just coffee and camaraderie.

Tuesdays

Post Falls Chapter 01
1100 — 1300 @ The Bunker Bar

Wednesdays

Hayden Chapter 01
0900 — 1100 @ Avondale Golf Club

Thursdays

Coeur d’Alene Chapter 01
0800 — 1000 @ Best Western Plus

Post Falls Chapter 02
1100 — 1300 @ American Legion Post #143

Fridays

Priest River Chapter 01
0900 — 1100 @ Infinity Cafe

If you’ve been meaning to stop by, this is your invitation. Bring a fellow veteran or first responder — and pull up a chair.

*****

For more information on upcoming events, visit:
https://theveteransclub.org/events/

To view The Veterans Club Google Calendar:  https://theveteransclub.org/tvc-calendar/

Why two calendars?  The Veterans Club posts organization promoted events through the Events page of our website https://theveteransclub.org/events/, The Google Calendar is where we post all events of interest to veterans and first responders.