Coeur d'Alene Honors Veterans at Ceremony
Nearly 100 people gathered Wednesday at a Veterans Day ceremony that featured a speech from Air Force veteran Mike Kralicek.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Civic
Coeur d'Alene held a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday honoring living and deceased U.S. Armed Forces members, sponsored by American Legion Post 14 and VFW Post 889. Nearly 100 people attended, and Air Force veteran Mike Kralicek, shot in the face in 2004 while serving with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, gave a speech.
Why it matters
The event marks Veterans Day locally with a public tribute to service members, past and present. Kralicek's remarks connected the community's observance to his own service and recovery.
The ceremony drew nearly 100 attendees and featured a flag gifted by U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher of Idaho that had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building. Attendance figures from prior years were not reported in the source material.
The players
American Legion Post 14
A local chapter of the American Legion, the nation's largest veterans service organization, which co-sponsored the ceremony.
VFW Post 889
A local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a congressionally chartered veterans organization, which co-sponsored the ceremony.
Mike Kralicek
An Air Force veteran and motivational speaker who was shot in the face in 2004 while serving with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department.
Russ Fulcher
A U.S. Congressman from Idaho who gifted the American flag used in the ceremony.
The details
The ceremony included the national anthem, a prayer, and an American flag folding ceremony, with many veterans in the crowd standing and holding salutes. Local Girl Scout Service Unit 443 provided Girl Scout cookies. Kralicek, who is legally blind and works as a motivational speaker, spoke about the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Timeline
1918: The Armistice declared a temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allies and Germany.
2004: Mike Kralicek was shot in the face by a .357 Magnum while serving with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: The Veterans Day ceremony was held in Coeur d'Alene.
Civic Tradition
The ceremony traces its observance to the 1918 Armistice that ended World War I hostilities between the Allies and Germany. Local observances like this one continue that tradition at the community level each November 11.
Residents of Coeur d'Alene had a public opportunity to attend a veterans tribute on Veterans Day. The ceremony's format of anthem, prayer, and flag folding offers a model for local observances.
The takeaway
Public ceremonies like this one give communities a shared way to recognize service members and the history behind Veterans Day. Attending or supporting local veterans organizations is a direct way to take part.
Further reading
Explore more local civic events in Coeur d'Alene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Coeur d'Alene Press.
