The Veterans Club Dispatch-March 29, 2026

Veterans & First Responders Weekly Update

President’s Message

Brothers and Sisters,

I’m excited to share some great momentum in our growing community: a new chapter is forming in Priest River, Idaho!

They meet every Friday morning at 0900 at the Infinity Cafe, located at 5770 US-2 in Priest River. If you know veterans or first responders in the Priest River area, please invite them to check it out. A simple cup of coffee and good conversation can make all the difference.

We also have exciting developments closer to home: a second chapter forming in Post Falls and another second chapter forming in Coeur d’Alene. More details will be shared as those groups take shape.

On the national front, discussions are underway with interested groups in Spokane, Southern Oregon, Michigan, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas about launching new chapters. The word is spreading, and that’s exactly how we grow our impact.

A big thank you to the Hayden leadership team—Jeff Snell, Dale Gibboney, Ian Cosby, and Tim Greeley—for putting together our brand-new “Starting a New Chapter” guide. It’s straightforward, practical, and makes it easier than ever for someone in any community to get started. Check it out here: https://theveteransclub.org/starting-a-new-chapter/.

Why does this growth matter?

The Veterans Club is a participation sport. Every new chapter increases our average weekly attendance, reaches more isolated veterans and first responders, and helps prevent more suicides through the simple power of consistent connection. There is no cost to start a chapter, and we provide marketing materials, training, liability insurance support, and a connection to our national organization.

As a member, you’re always welcome at any chapter’s Patriot Pour. Please help spread the word—forward this newsletter to fellow veterans and first responders, and encourage them to attend a weekly gathering or our monthly dinner.

Right now, more than 250 people receive our weekly newsletter, and over 70 attend a weekly meeting. Our goal by the end of the year is 20 chapters, more than 360 weekly attendees, and an email list of over 1,000. That only happens with your help.

Here’s how you can contribute:

• Follow and share our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theveteransclub.org/
• Attend at least one additional monthly gathering (like The Gathering Table) and bring a friend
• We’re looking for a few new tour coordinators to help organize fun group outings that build stronger relationships. If you’re interested, email me at ed@theveteransclub.org

Also, mark your calendar for our 2nd Annual BBQ Celebration on July 25, 2026, at noon at Dan Blanchard’s home.  More info will follow as the event unfolds.

Finally, as we grow, we want to ensure veterans and first responders with limited mobility can still join us. If you’re willing to be on a call list to provide occasional rides to and from meetings, please email info@theveteransclub.org with your name, chapter, and cell phone number (that receives texts). We’ll set up a simple SMS tree to make this work smoothly.  Note, your contact information will NOT be shared publicly.  When someone needs a ride, the message with come from The Veterans Club HQ.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Connection saves lives—and together, we’re building something that matters.

Still serving,

Ed Bejarana
Founder & President
The Veterans Club
(208) 209-7170 | ed@theveteransclub.org

*****

March Gathering Table Dinner – A Full House at Radicci’s!

Last night, 39 veterans, first responders, and their families filled the upstairs room at Radicci’s in Hayden for our March Gathering Table dinner. The energy was outstanding — great food, even better conversation, and plenty of laughter as old friends reconnected and new faces found their seat at the table.

A special thank you to Karen Reade for securing the upstairs room and making the location work so smoothly for our group.

These monthly dinners are one of the simplest and most powerful ways we live out our mission: building real relationships that reduce isolation and remind each other that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Seeing the room packed with people who “get it” is exactly why The Veterans Club exists.

Thank you to everyone who came out, to Radicci’s for hosting us so well, and to our leadership team for making the evening smooth and welcoming. Moments like these are the heartbeat of our community.

If you missed it, mark your calendar for the next Gathering Table — last Friday of each month at a rotating local restaurant. No-host, families welcome, and always a seat for you.

Connection happens around the table.

See you at the next one.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Patriot Business Alliance – March Evening Mixer

April 8, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – The Bunker Bar 702 N Spokane St, Post Falls, ID.  Click for more info.

Patriot Cigar Lounge

April 12 | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Stogies & Stories 3920 W 5th Ave Suite A1 Post Falls, ID 83854  Click for more info.

Free Suicide Prevention Training

April 13 | multiple times – American Legion Post 143 1138 E Poleline Ave, Post Falls, ID, United States. Click to read more.

Idaho Forest Group Tour – Chico Facility

April 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Click for more info.

April First Responder & Veterans Dinner Gathering

April 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Cultura CDA 155 W Neider Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID, United States.  Click for more info.

NIC Spring Jazz Concert 2026

April 28 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – NIC. Click for more info.

Sharp Conversations & Coffee with Law Enforcement at Buck Knives

April 30 | 9:00am – 11:00am.  Click for more info.

Mark Your Calendars

May 16 – North Idaho Stand Down

May 16 – Celebration of Life for Ray Bassler

June 13 – Kootenai County Sheriff Community Event

July 25 – The Veterans Club 2nd Annual BBQ Celebration

August 2 – National Night Out

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.

Post Falls Chapter

Tuesdays | 1100–1300
The Bunker Bar

Hayden Chapter

Wednesdays | 0900–1100
Avondale Golf Club

CDA Chapter

Thursdays | 0800–1000
Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn

Priest River Chapter

Fridays | 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.