From the President August 23, 2026
Written/Narrated by: Ed Bejarana | Published on: August 23, 2026
It is a rare occasion that I have to say this, but here it goes.
Oops!
Thursday is our monthly Patriot Dinner Gathering, once again at the Best Western Plus on Appleway. Dinner starts at 5:00 PM and runs until 7:00 PM.
After talking with the restaurant about some of the server challenges we experienced last month, we agreed that limiting attendance to 40 people would make for a better evening for everyone. You can read more about why we made the change in the article, “Patriot Dinner Gatherings—Growing While Keeping Connection at the Center.”
Unfortunately, when I went into the RSVP system to set the new attendance limit, the event reset and deleted all 25 people who had already RSVP’d.
Oops.
I do have the sign-up sheet from those who registered at the CDA #1 Patriot Pour meeting Thursday, but I don’t have a complete record of everyone who had previously registered online.
So, if you think you already RSVP’d for Thursday’s dinner, please RSVP again. You can email me at info@theveteransclub.org or text your RSVP to (208) 209-7170, and I will make sure you are added to the list.
I apologize for the confusion. We are working hard to improve how we manage these growing gatherings, and occasionally that means the guy pushing the buttons pushes the wrong one.
Summer Is Almost Over
The kids, grandkids, and, for some of us, even the great-grandchildren are heading back to school. Summer is winding down, and before we know it, the colder months will be here.
And from what we’re hearing, we might have a pretty cold winter ahead of us.
That makes this a good time to start thinking about something important: how do we stay connected when winter makes it easier to stay home?
The Board recently discussed encouraging more small gatherings in our homes. These aren’t events we can necessarily put on the public calendar, and they aren’t intended to be gatherings of dozens of people. Think smaller and more personal—perhaps three or four couples gathering around someone’s dinner table.
Life is meant to be done together, and The Veterans Club is committed to helping stimulate the relationships that make that possible.
This fall and winter, you’ll see us doing more than Patriot Pour. We are planning more sporting events at NIC, movie outings, lunch gatherings where friends and family can join us, game nights, and small group dinners.
If you would like to open your home for a small gathering, email info@theveteransclub.org. We’ll work with you to put together an invitation and help connect you with others who would enjoy joining you.
Help Us Build Our Membership Directory
Another part of our goal this winter is to build a more complete membership directory.
This is not intended to be a public directory or something shared outside The Veterans Club. It is intended to give our leadership a better ability to answer a very simple question:
“Who lives near me?”
That question matters.
On TheVeteransClub.org, you’ll find a JOIN button. We are asking everyone to take a few minutes—even if you have completed the form before—to visit the website, click JOIN, and complete the form.
Connection is a process of knowing one another.
As we get older, it can become surprisingly easy to drift away from organizations, friendships, and the outside connections that were once part of everyday life. Sometimes we don’t even realize it is happening.
Patriot Pour is meant to help re-establish those connections. But sitting around a table for two hours once a week is only the beginning. The friendships that grow from those tables—dinners together, ball games, movies, phone calls, lunches, and simply knowing someone nearby—are where Connection, Purpose, and Belonging become part of everyday life.
That is what we want to build more of this winter.
One More Date for Your Calendar
While you have your calendar out, make sure you save December 31st from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
We are planning Dinner and Dancing on New Year’s Eve at the Best Western Convention Center. We are initially setting attendance at 70 people, but the good news is that we have access to the entire facility if we need more room.
There will be plenty more information coming as we get closer, but for now, save the date.
Thank you for your patience with this week’s RSVP mix-up, and I look forward to seeing many of you Thursday evening.
Ed Bejarana
President & Founder
The Veterans Club
On The Veterans Club Calendar for the Week of
There is always something happening at The Veterans Club, and we’d love to see you there. Whether you’re looking for a weekly Patriot Pour gathering, a community meal, a family-friendly activity, or a special event, these opportunities are designed to bring veterans, first responders, and their supporters together through conversation, friendship, and shared experiences. Below are the next several events on our calendar. We hope you’ll mark your calendar, invite a friend, and join us.
Patriot Dinner Gathering
Sergeant First Class Dustin Ard Commemorative Steel Competition
Lady Veterans & First Responders Sunset Dinner Cruise
Patriot Cigar & Whiskey Lounge for July
9/11 Memorial Ceremony — Remember and Honor
Panhandle Patriot Music Festival
Patriot Lunch Gathering – Coeur d'Alene
Patriot Dinner Gathering
Patriot Cigar & Whiskey Lounge for July
The Veterans Club is a Idaho Registered Nonprofit Corporate with 501(c)(3). 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(opens in new tab)
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(opens in new tab)
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(opens in new tab)
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(opens in new tab)
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.