The Veterans Club Dispatch-June 21, 2026
Written/Narrated by: Â Ed Bejarana | Published on: June 21, 2026
President’s Message
At this month’s Board of Directors meeting, we discussed several items related to the future of The Veterans Club. One of the most important decisions we made was to establish an Endowment Fund for the organization.
I’ll talk more about the details as we move forward, but the reason behind the decision is simple. The Veterans Club was never intended to be a temporary program. From the beginning, the vision has been to build something that would continue serving veterans and first responders long after the current leadership has passed the torch. An endowment helps us begin building the financial foundation necessary to support that vision for generations to come.
As we were discussing the future of the organization, it caused me to reflect on what really makes The Veterans Club successful. We often point to the Patriot Pours, the monthly dinners, the golf outings, range days, family events, and service projects. Those activities are certainly important, but I don’t believe they are the reason lives are being changed.
What changes lives are the relationships that develop because of those activities.
When I look around a Patriot Pour, I don’t see a meeting. I see introductions being made. I see people discovering common experiences, shared interests, and new friendships. The coffee, the conversation, and even the meeting itself are simply the environment that allows those connections to begin.
The Patriot Pour is not the destination. It is the introduction.
The real mission begins when the meeting ends.
It begins when two members decide to meet for breakfast later in the week. It happens when someone picks up the phone to check on a friend they haven’t seen in a while. It happens when a veteran invites another veteran to go fishing, grab lunch, work on a project, or simply spend time together.
Those one-on-one relationships are where belonging is built.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that loneliness is one of the greatest challenges facing veterans and first responders. During our years of service, we lived and worked as part of a team. We had people around us who understood our experiences, shared our struggles, and noticed when something wasn’t right. Then life changes. Careers end. People move away. Families grow. Health changes. Before we realize it, many of the connections we once took for granted have disappeared.
Loneliness rarely shows up all at once. More often, it arrives quietly through isolation. One missed conversation becomes two. A skipped gathering becomes a habit. Days become weeks, and weeks become months.
That is why I often say that connection saves lives.
Recently, another thought has been on my mind: loneliness is a disease cured together.
No program can solve loneliness. No website can solve loneliness. No organization, no matter how well run, can solve loneliness by itself. The cure has always been people. It is friendship. It is fellowship. It is knowing that someone notices when you’re missing and cares enough to reach out.
That is what The Veterans Club is really building.
The meetings matter because they create introductions. The activities matter because they create opportunities. The organization matters because it provides a place for those relationships to begin. But the true measure of our success is what happens beyond the Patriot Pour.
This week, I would encourage each of you to take one small step. Call someone. Invite someone to coffee. Reach out to a member you haven’t seen in a while. Strengthen one relationship outside of our scheduled activities.
Because in the end, our mission isn’t measured by how many meetings we hold.
It is measured one conversation, one friendship, and one connection at a time.
— Ed Bejarana
President, The Veterans Club
Organization News
The Veterans Club was honored to participate in the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Community BBQ last weekend. Thanks to the generosity of the Sheriff’s Office, The Veterans Club was provided a double booth space after learning that our Founder and President, Ed Bejarana, would also be performing at the event with his band, A-Train.
The arrangement worked out perfectly, placing The Veterans Club information table, the A-Train stage area, and the food truck all within easy walking distance of one another. Throughout the day, dozens of community members stopped by the booth to learn more about The Veterans Club, ask questions about upcoming activities, and discover ways to get involved.
The event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with veterans, first responders, and community supporters while enjoying great food, great music, and great company. We are grateful to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for including us in such a successful community event.
For those wondering, there is currently no evidence that food truck sales suffered as a result of being located in such close proximity to Ed Bejarana for four consecutive hours. Investigators continue to review the matter.
Monthly Dinner Gathering Approaching
Our next Veterans & First Responders Dinner Gathering is coming up soon, and we hope you’ll join us for an evening of great food and even better conversation. These monthly dinners provide an opportunity to strengthen friendships, meet new members, and stay connected with the growing Veterans Club community.
Attendance helps us plan seating and meals, so please take a moment to RSVP if you plan to attend.
Learn more and RSVP here:
Veterans & First Responders Dinner Gathering RSVP
Chapter News
Coeur d’Alene Chapter News
Karen Reade shared a special announcement during this last week’s gathering.
While attending a recent community event, Karen met a woman who learned about The Veterans Club and its mission to support veterans and first responders through connection, purpose, and belonging. During their conversation, the woman explained that her late husband, Richard L. Nester, US Navy, had recently passed away.
Richard had a deep appreciation for veterans and, through his estate planning, expressed a desire to continue supporting the veteran community after his passing. In honor of Richard’s wishes, a contribution of $2,000 was made to The Veterans Club through Moving Pictures.
On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our sincere gratitude to Richard Nester and his family for this thoughtful gift. It is a powerful reminder that a person’s service and generosity can continue to impact others long after they are gone.
After thoughtful discussion, the Board of Directors voted to use this contribution to establish the organization’s Endowment Fund. The Veterans Club was never intended to be a temporary program, and the creation of an endowment helps begin building a financial foundation that can support veterans and first responders for generations to come.
Richard’s gift serves as an inspiring example of legacy giving and the lasting impact one person can have on future generations. Those interested in learning more about including The Veterans Club in their estate plans are welcome to speak with any Board member or contact Ed Bejarana directly at (208) 209-7170 or ed@theveteransclub.org.
Priest River Chapter News
The Priest River Chapter recently enjoyed a memorable day on the Pend Oreille River thanks to the generosity of one of our members, whose daughter operates a local boat charter business.
Members spent the day cruising the river, spotting bald eagles and osprey, casting lines for smallmouth bass, and strengthening the friendships that make The Veterans Club so special. There were plenty of smiles, laughs, and stories shared throughout the day—and perhaps a little sunburn as well.
One of the highlights came when Mike landed his first fish since suffering a stroke, as well as his very first fish caught in Idaho. The celebration that followed was a reminder that sometimes the smallest victories create the biggest memories.
As if the day wasn’t exciting enough, the group was also treated to a low-level flyover by a search-and-rescue Huey helicopter from Fairchild Air Force Base, providing an unforgettable moment for everyone on the water.
It was a fantastic day of fellowship, friendship, and fun—proof once again that some of the best moments happen when veterans and first responders simply spend time together.
Patriot Pour Meeting Dates and Times
Upcoming Special Events
The Veterans Club is a Idaho Registered Nonprofit Corporate with 501(c)(3). Â Email info@theveteransclub.org if you are interested in getting involved or learning more about how you can support the effort.
Sponsors
Retirement Nationwide - Jim Lusk
Retirement Nationwide, led by Jim Lusk, provides ongoing support to The Veterans Club. Specializing in retirement and income planning, Retirement Nationwide helps individuals and families prepare for the future with confidence and clarity.
Rex Grace Insurance - Rex Grace
Rex Grace Insurance, led by Rex Grace, provides ongoing support to The Veterans Club. Through personalized insurance solutions, Rex Grace Insurance helps individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most.
Zenith Exhibits, Inc. - Ed Bejarana
Zenith Exhibits, Inc. provides in-kind support to The Veterans Club through technology, website, and communications tools used every day. Zenith Exhibits helps organizations stay connected, organized, and working effectively.
Karen Reade - LifeWave
LifeWave and Karen Reade help underwrite select women’s gatherings at The Veterans Club. LifeWave focuses on wellness technologies that support healthy living. We are grateful for Karen’s generosity and commitment to stronger community connections.