VFW Auxiliary national president visiting Spokane, CdA

The national president of the VFW Auxiliary is coming to Spokane for the Lilac parade, but will also visit Coeur d’Alene where important work is underway for veterans.

Colette Bishop, of Kansas City, Missouri, arrives on Saturday in time for an Aisle of Flags ceremony at VFW Post 51 at 300 W. Mission Ave. at 4:15 p.m.

Then, Bishop and VFW members will head to the Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade and be part of the parade.

Events continue Sunday for breakfast with the VFW Auxiliary 3386 in Airway Heights.

Sunday at noon, Bishop will tour the Newby-Ginnings facility, which helps vets get back on their feet with household goods, said Beverly Hanson, president of the VFW Auxiliary 889 in Coeur d’Alene.

The Newby-Ginnings outreach was started by Theresa Hart, mother of Nicholas W. Newby, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.

The Bishop entourage will also go to the Nicholas Newby Memorial in Coeur d’Alene Sunday at 3 p.m.

They also plan a stop at the Legends Assisted Living Center, 1820 Legends Parkway in Coeur d’Alene, at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Widows of veterans have collected $10,000 worth of coupons in three months, which will be sent to commissaries around the world, Hanson said.

The Coeur d’Alene Auxiliary will have a reception and Missing Man Tribute at 3:30 p.m. at Post 889 before heading out for an evening dinner cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene.