Coeur d'Alene veteran seeks to raise funds for Honor Flights
Joe Deacon speaks about the importance of Honor Flight for local veterans and announced a fundraiser for Nov. 8 at the Eagles Club in Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Isaac the comfort dog gets a hug from a veteran during a past Honor Flight.
Isaac the comfort dog stands at the ready during a Rotary Club luncheon Friday. He's mainly stationed with the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley and has accompanied local veterans on past Honor Flights.
Joe Deacon and his brothers, Tom and Bill Deacon, and their Honor Flight guardian, Gina Cadagan, stand in front of a memorial statue in Washington D.C. The brothers were able to attend the event together although they live in different states. From left: Tom Deacon, Gina Cadagan, Bill Deacon and Joe Deacon.
COEUR d'ALENE — Joe Deacon, who served stateside while his two brothers fought in Vietnam, shared his experiences from a recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with the Rotary Club on Friday.
"The brotherhood of veterans is strong in Kootenai County," Deacon said, urging North Idaho residents to support local veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam in taking their own Honor Flights.
Describing the emotional impact of the trip, Deacon said, "Every one of us was in tears. You cannot imagine how emotional it was."
Accompanying Deacon at the Rotary luncheon were Gina Cadagan, who served as the brothers' guardian during the trip, and Isaac, a golden retriever comfort dog from Lutheran Church Charities.
Isaac, trained to provide emotional support for veterans, especially during flights, is based in Spokane Valley but visits Coeur d'Alene weekly. "Isaac was the equalizer," Deacon noted.
With Honor Flights costing $200,000 per round-trip and a recent flight canceled due to lack of funds, Deacon emphasized the importance of recognizing Vietnam-era veterans. "All of these veterans from the Vietnam era never got any recognition after they came back from their years of deployment," he said.
A fundraiser for Honor Flight is planned for Friday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles Club. It will feature big band music.
Isaac the comfort dog gets a hug from a veteran during a past Honor Flight.
Isaac the comfort dog stands at the ready during a Rotary Club luncheon Friday. He's mainly stationed with the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley and has accompanied local veterans on past Honor Flights.
Joe Deacon and his brothers, Tom and Bill Deacon, and their Honor Flight guardian, Gina Cadagan, stand in front of a memorial statue in Washington D.C. The brothers were able to attend the event together although they live in different states. From left: Tom Deacon, Gina Cadagan, Bill Deacon and Joe Deacon.