Picnic honors veterans

THOMPSON FALLS – Members of the Thompson Falls community came together to honor local veterans last weekend in a moving ceremony dedicated to those who serve or have served in our nation’s armed forces.

The Redemption Ranch of Thompson Falls with Linda  Lanier and her husband Rocky of Darby combined to put on the afternoon picnic honoring those who served.

“I like to hold my veterans and hold my country up,” Lanier said.

Lanier, an motivational patriotic speaker and singer, spoke during the ceremony. She gave a heartfelt thank you to the veterans in attendance at the picnic.

Lanier also performed a few of her songs, which the crowd often sang along to on the sunny late summer afternoon.

PPL Park served as the host site for the event on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 24. Those in attendance enjoyed a picnic lunch cooked up by Scott Crowe of Thompson Falls before the ceremony began.

Before opening the ceremony Pastor Brenda Crowe led the assembled group in a prayer honoring the nation’s veterans and thanking the brave individuals for their service to the nation.

The Thompson Falls VFW color guard was on hand for the afternoon event and they paraded the nation’s flag as Pastor Crowe sang the Star Spangled Banner.

According to Lanier, this year’s picnic and concert marked the fifth annual year the event was held.

Lanier said the event’s theme alternates from God and country to honoring veterans.

Though PPL Park was the sight for Sunday’s picnic in previous years the free concert has sometimes been held at the Redemption Ranch in Thompson Falls.

“The program aims to honor all veterans,” Lanier said.

Lanier said the turnout for the event varies but this year it looked like the picnic had drawn a good sized crowd.

State Senator Jennifer Fielder was also on hand to assist in the flag ceremony, where she read out the different tenets of the ceremonial flag folding before an American flag was presented to a veteran in attendance at the picnic.

This year’s recipient was Mickey Herndon, a Vietnam War veteran who served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 and was wounded in action.

Before the flag was presented to Herndon, Lanier read a short bio on the vet.

“He is a true American hero,” Lanier said.

All of the veterans in attendance were honored several times with the speakers and those in attendance showing their appreciation for their service in all of the branches of the armed forces.

The Laniers brought the event to Thompson Falls free of charge and a 50/50 raffle was held during the afternoon to help keep the Darby couple on the road going to events similar to the Sunday picnic.

Lanier and her husband travel all over the nation honoring veterans and speaking on their behalf, providing recognition for their services and holding patriotic events.

The next stop for the pair is the Silverton Praise Center in Silverton, Ore.