From the President — September 6, 2026
Written/Narrated by: Ed Bejarana | Published on: September 6, 2026
August is behind us, summer is winding down, the tourists are starting to head home, and before long we’ll have North Idaho mostly back to ourselves. It also means we’re heading into a very busy fall at The Veterans Club.
Before looking ahead, though, I want to look back at a great August.
27 People, One Dog, and a Great Dinner
We had 27 folks join us at the Best Western Plus for our August Patriot Dinner Gathering—well, 27 people and one dog. Tucker counts.
The food was great, the conversation was even better, and everything went very smoothly. A big part of that was because everyone RSVPd ahead of time. The Best Western knew how many people to expect, they scheduled two servers for us, and we were able to enjoy dinner without the restaurant having to scramble around trying to accommodate us.
Thank you to everyone who helped make that work.
We’ll be back at the Best Western Plus for our September and October dinners. Meanwhile, Karen and Joan and the activities team are already working on some new restaurant locations beginning in January.
One of the things I like about these dinners is that they’re different from a Patriot Pour. There’s no agenda. There isn’t a discussion topic. We simply sit down, eat dinner, talk, laugh, and get to know one another a little better.
Sometimes that’s exactly what we need. Just remember, please RSVP!
The Winter Formal Is Happening
I know several people have been asking about our winter event, so here’s what I can tell you: it’s happening.
What I can’t tell you yet is exactly when and where.
The date and location are changing, and Karen and her team are working feverishly to get everything finalized. It also looks like we may have Texas Roadhouse cater the event, which certainly wouldn’t hurt my feelings.
As you can imagine, finding a space during December that can comfortably handle potentially 100 people isn’t the easiest thing in the world. We’d rather take a little extra time and put together a great evening than rush into something just so we can announce it.
Stay tuned. We’ll have more very soon.
Big Mike Is Back—and the Lounge Is SMOKIN’
Big Mike is back from Georgia, and Stogies & Stories is going strong.
A big thank-you goes to Jeff for holding down the fort while Mike was away. That’s exactly how The Veterans Club is supposed to work. Somebody needs a hand, somebody else steps up, and the show goes on.
For those of you who enjoy a good cigar, great whiskey, and amazing stories from veterans and first responders, the first Sunday of every month is something you should put on your calendar.
There aren’t many places where you can sit around for a couple of hours with people from different generations, different branches of service, different careers, and completely different life experiences and simply swap stories.
That’s what makes Stogies & Stories special.
The Veterans Book Club Is Almost Ready
Another program I’m excited about is The Veterans Book Club.
We already have eight people on the list, and we’re getting close to officially starting. If you’d like to join us, email info@theveteransclub.org, and we’ll include you in the monthly announcements.
Coming this week, we’ll also have a special Book Club page on The Veterans Club website. It will show the book we’re currently reading, the next books in line, meeting information, and hopefully some special author appearances.
And I can give you one little hint about our first selection.
The author is already a member of The Veterans Club.
I’m going to hold off announcing the author and title until next week, but one of our goals is to feature local authors whenever possible. When we can, we’d like to invite the author to the monthly gathering to talk about the book, answer questions, and maybe even give us a reading.
As is tradition at The Veterans Club, there’s no cost to participate other than purchasing the book. We’ll try to get free copies when we can, but we can’t guarantee it.
There are also no demands. Nobody is going to give you a test. Nobody is checking whether you finished Chapter 12.
This is about having fun and enjoying reading.
Reading has actually been part of The Veterans Club from very early in our development through our Children’s Literacy Program. There’s something special about a group of people reading the same book and then sitting around a table talking about what they thought.
Who knows? There might even be wine and cheese involved.
If that sounds like your kind of evening, email info@theveteransclub.org and get your name on the list.
As Summer Ends, Look Around the Table
Summer is ending. The tourists are going home. In another couple of months, our snowbirds will start flying the coop.
This is also a good time to look around your Patriot Pour meeting and ask yourself a simple question:
Who haven’t I seen lately?
If somebody comes to mind, call them.
Don’t assume they’re busy. Don’t assume they’re going to another meeting. Don’t assume somebody else has already checked on them.
Give them a call and invite them back.
We have a few dozen activities and events planned for the remainder of the year, and every one of them gives us another opportunity to reconnect with somebody we haven’t seen for a while.
That’s important because The Veterans Club has always been about more than putting events on a calendar. It’s about Connection, Purpose, and Belonging. The events simply give us reasons to keep those connections alive.
September 11: A Day Worth Showing Up For
One of the first important gatherings of the season is the annual 9/11 Remembrance at Silver Lake Mall, now Black Sheep.
The Sheriff’s Office is bringing together Gold Star Mothers, veterans, first responders from across our community, and members of the public for this very special annual event.
The ceremony begins at 11:00 AM, but I strongly suggest arriving by 10:00 AM at the latest. The place fills quickly, and seating is very limited.
This year marks 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Twenty-five years.
For those of us old enough to remember that day, we probably remember exactly where we were when we first heard what was happening. We remember the confusion, the disbelief, the anger, and the heartbreak.
But I also remember something else.
I remember what America felt like afterward.
For a while, we weren’t nearly as interested in what divided us. American flags were everywhere. People checked on their neighbors. We thanked police officers, firefighters, military members, and complete strangers. We remembered that despite all our differences, we were Americans first.
Twenty-five years later, I think it’s worth taking some time to remember that feeling.
So on September 11, take a moment. Heck, take the day.
Spend it with friends, family, veterans, first responders, and people who understand what service means.
Remember those we lost. Honor those who ran toward danger while others were running away. Celebrate America and everything she stands for.
And maybe rekindle a little of the love of country and community that caused so many of us, at one point in our lives, to raise our right hand and volunteer to serve.
I’ll see you there.
Ed Bejarana
President
The Veterans Club
No Dues. No Demands. Great Conversation.
On The Veterans Club Calendar
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.
9/11 Memorial Ceremony — Remember and Honor
Panhandle Patriot Music Festival
Patriot Lunch Gathering – Coeur d'Alene
Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center Tour
Veteran & First Responder Dinner Gathering – September 2026
The American Spirit: Songs of Faith & Freedom
The American Spirit: Songs of Faith & Freedom
Spokane County’s 7th Annual Veteran Resource Fair & Stand Down
Patriot Cigar & Whiskey Lounge
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.