Crapo to Honor Wake Vets, Reunion; event schedule

The heroism of civilians pushed into a World War and the Idahoans who have remembered them will be honored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo during an event Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial Park in Boise.  Crapo will present Alice Ingram, an organizer of the “Survivors of Wake-Guam-Cavite” reunion, and other family members of Wake combatants, copies of his Congressional Record Statement honoring those who perished or were captured on Wake Island.  Many were employees of Boise’s Morrison-Knudsen Company, sent to build runways and other infrastructure during World War II.  Crapo will also discuss legislation he has co-sponsored to honor Wake Island and other Pacific combatants with the Congressional Gold Medal. 

Crapo will also join advocates in Pocatello to support education about and denounce both domestic and dating violence, raising awareness on the issues as students begin class at local high schools and on the Idaho State University campus.  Crapo has been the lead co-sponsor on national legislation to renew the Violence Against Women Act and Victims of Crime Act.  Statistics have shown jumps in reports of domestic violence by more than 20 percent in Southeast Idaho. 

During his statewide visits, Crapo will also attend a barbeque event in Jerome honoring Vietnam veterans, conduct a listening session on his veterans’ health care reform legislation, present his Sprit of Idaho Award to Idaho National Laboratory specialists, donate books from the Library of Congress’ Surplus Book Program to Lincoln Elementary School in Twin Falls.  He will also salute a local Boy Scout Troop for going above and beyond the call to save a historic American Legion facility in Filer that was constructed by returning soldiers from World War I. 

Crapo’s August schedule includes the following events:

Tuesday, August 22: 

9:45 AM         Boise             Attends Congressional Award Presentation, Idaho Statehouse, Room WW55

2:00 PM         Caldwell        Congratulates TRIO Upward Bound students, Caldwell High School, 3401 S. Indiana Avenue

3:00 PM         Parma            Farm Bill listening session, Parma Senior Center, 410 N. 8^th Street

4:30 PM         Caldwell        Speak to Christians United for Israel Treasure Valley Chapter with Senator Jim Risch, Deer Flat Church, 17703 Beet Road

Wednesday, August 23:

10:00 AM       Boise             Join Wake Island Reunion leaders and families of veterans to honor civilian soldiers at Wake Island and efforts to remember their efforts during WWII.  At the Wake Island Memorial, east side of Veterans Park, State Street & North Clover Drive

Thursday, August 24:

1:15 PM         Twin Falls     Donate books and learn about the Newcomer Program, Lincoln Elementary School, 238 Buhl Street N.

Friday, August 25:

12:30 PM       Pocatello      Join local and Tribal advocates and ISU President Arthur Vailas to discuss growing domestic and dating violence issues and help available for victims.  At the Family Services Alliance, 355 S. Arthur Avenue

Saturday, August 26:

12:30 PM       Jerome          Speak at Vietnam Veteran Appreciation and Commemoration BBQ, Veteran’s Memorial Park, 300 E. Avenue A

Monday, August 28:

9:30 AM         Howe             Present Spirit of Idaho Award to INL employees for their work to serve the veterans in Eastern Idaho.

1:15 PM         Hansen         Present U.S. Flag and speak to Hansen High government class, Hansen High School, 550 Main Street S.

2:40 PM         Filer                Present Spirit of Idaho Award to members of Boy Scout Troop 7.  The scouts worked to save a historic World War I structure that has housed the local American Legion.  At the American Legion Building, 207 Main Avenue

Wednesday, August 30:

11:15 AM       Orofino          Meet with Clearwater County Commissioners, 150 Michigan Avenue

5:00 PM         Kendrick       Host a listening session on the Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017 with local veterans, Kendrick Fire Station, 600 East Main

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