MY VETERANS DAY EXPERIENCE MADE LOCAL NEWSPAPER! ;-)>

By PATRICK O'BRIEN Staff writer HAYDEN -- It may have rained on their parade, but those in attendance were glad to be there. The city of Hayden hosted its second parade Saturday morning in honor of Veterans Day. "We love you guys, God bless you," cheered The' Karpet Kitten' as the Color Guard, Company B 321 Engineer Battalion, marched down Government Way. "I am just trying to keep their spirits up," she said, "I love our country." Stan Davis and wife Jylene were visiting family in Post Falls from Salmon. "I heard they were having a Veteran's Day parade, and I'm a very big supporter of the military and stand behind them 1,000 percent," Stan said. Grand Marshall, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Obregon, of the U.S. Navy, rode by with his family waving to the handful of the faithful that had gathered -- despite the elements -- to honor their veterans. "I just love the city of Hayden," said Obregon who had traveled extensively throughout the country with the military. "The people here are special," he sid, "very open, unique and friendly." Obregon worked both in the Army and Navy, and is currently stationed at the Spokane Military Entrance Processing Station. Judy Allers, of Dalton Gardens, braved the rain with grandson Ross Chadderdon, 9. "I admire what he does and thought I should come out and support him," said Allers of her husband, Pete, who was in the parade. Don Jiran and his wife, Lisa, stood waving flags as the Young Marines of North Idaho marched past. The Jirans were there to celebrate friend and fellow Coeur d'Alene police officer, Maj. William Wallace Connally, who was honored with Hayden's Distinguished Veteran Award. "It's the least we can do," Lisa said. With both fathers having served in the military, Don and Lisa are members of Coeur d'Alene Veterans of Foreign War, Post No. 889. Don spent time in the Navy. "It's kind of embarrassing for the public to sit at home in a warm, dry house," said Don in reference to Saturday morning's thin crowd. Karpet Kitten agreed. "It brought a tear to my eye as always," she said. "I am kind of disappointed with the turnout. All they've done for us, and people can't come down and stand on the corner -- and the lack of children." Following the parade, community leaders and parade attendees gathered in the Hayden City Hall to see Obregon and Connally acknowledged by Mayor Ronald McIntire. "We're losing our World War II veterans on a daily basis," said Nancy Lowery, president of Hayden's City Council. "So to be able to have our Distinguished Veteran be a World War II veteran is really meaningful." Lowery said she had recently lost her own father, a decorated veteran. "I understand more and more, how much it means ... to be a part of our political system," she said. "It couldn't happen without the young men and women that go out and fight for us." PLEASE RESPECT,THANK,HONOR,SUPPORT & PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS,VETS,FIRST RESPONDERS and THEIR FAMILIES ;-)