The Pocatello POW*MIA Awareness Corporation held its annual Appreciation Dinner Saturday evening at the Old Town Pavillion in Pocatello. This function serves several purposes.

Northern Nevada State Coordinator, Les Brown
First, to show appreciation to our vast army of volunteers that helped make our 2011 Awareness Rally and Motorcycle Rodeo a success.
Second, to award our donations from the money raised. We were able to donate $4,000 to the Idaho State Veteran’s Home. Audrey Hamilton was on hand to receive the check. We were also able to donate $10,000 to the National League of POW and MIA Families. The Northern Nevada State Coordinator, Les Brown was here from Elko, Nevada to receive that check.

Audrey Hamilton, Idaho State Veteran's Home
Lastly, the outgoing and incoming Board Members were recognized. Outgoing Board Members were Nicki “Chops” Chopski – Administration, Jennifer “Blue” Bowen – Entertainment, Shannon “Boots” Cowden – Sales, Sam Guyette – Recorder and Michelle “Parashoot” Jackman – Finance. Incoming Board Members are Dave and Mary Breshears – Public Relations and Char DeWall – Finance. A “MacGyver” award was also given to Quin Deschamps from the Bannock County Fairgrounds for the ingenuity and hard work given to help make this year’s event run so smoothly.
Other dignitaries attending were Mayor Steven England – Chubbuck and Mayor Brian Blad – Pocatello. Very Special Guest was ex-POW Bud Hinkley. Special thanks to Ruby Tuesday for catoring the event, KZBQ and Paul Anderson for providing the sound system, The Pocatello Combined Veteran’s Honor Guard for Posting the Colors and Old Town Pocatello and Stephanie Palagi for use of the Old Town Pavillion.

Ex-POW Bud Hinkley
Thank you, to everyone who showed up to help set up and take down, as well as all the volunteers for the rally.