Veterans Outreach Center gets a special visit

Foreman was elected during this year’s midterm election and this will be his second time serving as an Idaho Senator. He previously served as Senator for District 5, which had included Benewah and Latah Counties prior to last year’s redistricting.

Foreman visited the area with his wife Maria and said they have friends and family who live locally and are fond of St. Maries. He said he was impressed with the efforts of the local outreach center. 

“I think it’s a good example of what the founding fathers recognized,” Foreman said. “If any good, positive good, sustainable good is going to happen in this country, and probably in any country, it’s going to happen at the grass roots level by people who are not affiliated with the government.”

“If you are going to do anything that’s going to stick for the community that’s going to work, it’s going to take people who live in the community to do it,” he added.

Foreman is also a veteran. He has more than 30 years of service in the United States Air Force and following his  military career, served as a police officer for more than 12 years. 

Veterans Outreach Center Board President Hank Thornton said the group was overwhelmed by the support from Senator Foreman. 

“It was nice of him to visit and I think it was an eye opener for veteran’s issues in the county,” Thornton said. “It’s gratifying to see people recognize what we’ve done.”

Thornton said Foreman may be able to help advocate for funding at the state level for the outreach center.

“He seemed supportive of that but said he can’t make promises since he doesn’t control where funding goes,” he said. “It’s always nice to have more people in our corner.”

“If I can help in any way at the state level, but I don’t know if I can because trying to get the bureaucracy to focus on something and do something really positive in a timely matter is difficult,” Foreman said. “I don’t promise anything to people other than I’ll try. If there is any way I can help I’ll be more than happy to do it.”

“I would like to see it expand and if I can help with that I will, because they are saving lives and making life better for people who really make the ultimate sacrifice,” he added.

In the month the outreach center has been open, Thornton said the group has already had some successes with reaching area veterans in need. He said they have already started to get veterans they’ve never talked to before to visit the center and make it a habit to visit each week. 

“Exactly what we thought in our minds the center would do, it has done,” Thornton said. “We are extremely appreciative of all the support from the community and couldn’t have made this happen without them.”

Members of the Outreach Center are still working to secure a permanent location for the outreach center as well as a larger building.

Those who want to support the Veterans Outreach Center, know a veteran in need, or want to find out more can call Thornton at 208-582-4330.