Posts by Ed Bejarana

Wildfires can bring uncertainty, stress, and isolation—especially for veterans and first responders who have experienced trauma in the line of duty. The Veterans Club is extending an open invitation to those impacted by the Spokane-area fires. Join one of our weekly Patriot Pour gatherings, connect with people who understand, and discover a community ready to stand beside you.

Good morning, As I sat down to write this week’s message, I couldn’t help but smile. The past couple of weeks have been a wonderful reminder of what makes The Veterans Club so special. Time and again, our members and supporters show up for one another in ways that continue to inspire me. Our 2nd…

Stay connected with everything happening at The Veterans Club. Our biweekly calendar roundup highlights the next ten upcoming events, including Patriot Pour gatherings, community dinners, family activities, and special programs. Find your next opportunity to connect with fellow veterans, first responders, and friends—we look forward to seeing you there.

Join us for The Veterans Club’s monthly Patriot Dinner Gathering, where veterans, first responders, their families, and friends come together for great food and even better conversation. This relaxed, no-host community dinner is the perfect opportunity to build new friendships, reconnect with old ones, and experience the welcoming community that makes The Veterans Club feel like home.

Seventy-two members, countless conversations, incredible food, live music, and perfect North Idaho weather made The Veterans Club’s 2nd Annual BBQ an unforgettable day. Hosted by Dan and Nancy Blanchard, the event celebrated friendship, honored the memory of Ray Bassler, and reminded everyone that the strongest form of suicide prevention often begins with community, connection, and belonging.

Help shape the future of The Veterans Club! We’re asking veterans and first responders to tell us which activities you’d enjoy participating in—and which you’d proudly invite others to attend. From pinball and billiards to chili cook-offs and cornhole, your ideas will help us build stronger connections throughout our community. Take a few minutes to complete our survey today.

The Veterans Club proudly participated in this year’s Day of Hope at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, where Ed Bejarana, Tom Lucas, and Jim Marrymee welcomed hundreds of community members and introduced dozens to Patriot Pour gatherings across North Idaho. With Tucker, Ed’s service dog, delighting visitors of all ages, the day was filled with smiles, conversations, and meaningful connections.

There are moments when a community has the opportunity to show what it is truly made of. On Tuesday, July 28, friends, neighbors, veterans, first responders, and members of the greater North Idaho community will come together at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls to support Nancy Blanchard and her family as Nancy continues her battle…

Join The Veterans Club for our 2nd Annual BBQ on Saturday, July 25! Enjoy smoked brisket, BBQ chicken, grilled hot dogs, Steve Hauser’s famous chili beans, classic summer sides, live music, lawn games, and outstanding fellowship. Open to veterans, first responders, and their families. Purchase your $25 ticket online or pay at the door and spend the day making memories with friends.

Veterans, military families, and surviving spouses are being targeted by a new mail scam promoting a fake “Veterans Savings Program.” The postcards falsely claim recipients may qualify for an additional $185 monthly benefit and other services. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed this program does not exist. Learn how to protect yourself and those you care about.

We cannot measure every life saved, but we can build a way of life where fewer are lost. When veterans and first responders gather, week after week, something begins to change. Names are known. Absences are noticed. The quiet drift toward isolation slows. In that steady rhythm of connection, burdens are shared, and the weight becomes easier to carry.