Remembering Vernon Baker

More than 600 people, military and civilian alike, traveled to St. Maries, Idaho, on July 31 to honor Vernon Baker, the World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient who died earlier this month of complications from brain cancer.

Section:Gallery

Sat., July 31, 2010

Heidy Baker, center, wife of Vernon Baker, walks back to the The Church of the Nazarene after military honors at an adjacent field escorted by Capt. David Darney, left, and Tom Norris, right. Several hundred friends, family, dignitaries and neighbors gathered Saturday, July 31, 2010 to remember Vernon Baker as a WWII war hero and a westerner who loved to hunt and live in the woods.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Heidy Baker, center, wife of Vernon Baker, leads a walking procession back to the The Church of the Nazarene after military honors at an adjacent field escorted by Capt. David Darney, left, and Tom Norris, right. Several hundred friends, family, dignitaries and neighbors gathered Saturday, July 31, 2010 to remember Vernon Baker as a WWII war hero and a westerner who loved to hunt and live in the woods. Norris is a Medal of Honor recipient, like Baker, from the Vietnam War.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from Coeur d'Alene join other mourners at Vernon J. Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Members of the Marine Corps League join other mourners at Vernon J. Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A color guard comprised of National Guard soldiers retires the colors after Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Veterans and other mourners listen to the tributes to Vernon J. Baker at Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Janetta WIlliams reads a letter from the president of the NAACP honoring Vernon J. Baker at Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Vernon Pawlik, age 9, namesake and grandson of Vernon J. Baker, repeats his quote "Since my grandfather died, his picture has become history. As soon as he died we have lost a part of history" in front of several hundred mourners at Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010. Helping him is Dick Shanks.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A large contingent of Air Force personnel stand as military honors are performed for Vernon J. Baker at a field outside the church near St. Maries, Idaho Saturday, July 31, 2010. Baker was a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in WWII.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
At the funeral for Vernon J. Baker, a military honor guard folds a flag over the urn of Baker's ashes at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Tom Norris, left, a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, kneels and speaks with Heidy Baker, widow of Vernon Baker, after Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Members of the honor guard stand by Vernon J. Baker's remains on the stage at Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Friends and other mourners gather for a potluck meal after Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
An Idaho National Guard honor guard passes a folded flag hand to hand after folding it over the urn holding the remains of Vernon J. Baker, a WWII medal of honor recipient, Saturday, July 31, 2010 at The Church of the Nazarene near St. Maries, Idaho.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Billy Fletcher, a friend and neighbor of Vernon J. Baker, kneels and hugs Heidy Baker, widow of Vernon Baker, after the outdoor portion of Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Sgt. Ray Katus, left, kneels and presents a folded flag to Heidy Baker, widow of Vernon Baker, at Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010. Wearing a cap, at center, is Vernon Pawlik, 9, Heidy's grandson. In the foreground at right is Capt. David Darney, a casualty assistance officer.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A color guard leaves after posting the colors at Vernon J. Baker's funeral at a church near St. Maries Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review