KIWANIS CLUB OF NAMPA LEARNS ABOUT PROJECT RECOVER
NAMPA — The Kiwanis Club of Nampa recently welcomed Tom Daggett, presenting Project Recover. Project Recover’s stated mission statement is a collaborative effort to enlist 21st-century science and technology in a quest to find and repatriate Americans Missing in Action (MIA) since World War II in order to provide recognition and closure for families and the nation.
Daggett explained that Project Recover has been active for over 30 years and described how it began. Dr. Pat Scannon founded Project Recover, formerly BentProp, shortly after a trip to Palau in 1993, in which he helped locate the Japanese trawler then-Navy pilot George H.W. Bush sunk in 1944. After the rest of the dive team left, Pat hired a guide to show them other artifacts from World War II. It was then that Pat first saw the 65-foot wing of an American B-24 bomber lying in shallow water along a coral island in Palau. Other than leading him to it, the guide could give Pat no information about the wing. For Pat, the wing was more than a hunk of metal. It represented a forgotten battle and brave men who had fought and died there. It represented stories lost to the chaos of war, the annals of time and the secret stillness of a watery grave. All were stories unknown to the airmen’s families. Also explained are the terms used when describing the status of an MIA service members
- Unaccounted for refers to — missing.
- Accounted for refers to — returned alive or their remains are recovered and identified.
- Repatriated refers to — the act of returning the remains of an MIA back to the United States.
The focus of Project Recover is on those that served in WWII, just because of the numbers involved. The numbers were explained to provide context of the scope of those still missing. At present, more than 81,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the more than 81,000 missing, 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (i.e., ship losses, known aircraft water losses, etc.).
Missing in action service members by conflict
- World War II — 72,064
- Korean War — 7,467
- Vietnam — 1,575
- Cold War — 126
- Gulf War and Libya Operations — 6
Also discussed was the funding of Project Recover. Project Recover is not government funded, nor is it a government affiliated organization. The ability to continue its search for MIAs relies heavily on the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations. To learn how to help or for more information, see the Project Recover website.
IDAHO FOOD BANK FUND ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS THROUGH JULY
BOISE — The Idaho Food Bank Fund announced June 26 that its 2026 grant application process is open through July 31 to Idaho 501©(3) nonprofit organizations that provide hunger relief and/or promote healthy eating. Funds can be used to operate programs; purchase food; purchase nutrition education materials; expand capacity (new freezers, shelving, transportation, etc); or promote access for anyone in need, including underserved and/or marginalized populations. To apply, go to idahofoodbankfund.org. The average grant size last year was $3,500.
The Idaho Food Bank Fund was established by the Idaho State Legislature in 2009 and monies are accepted on behalf of donors by the Idaho Tax Commission through what is commonly known as a “tax check off” on Idaho state tax returns. The Idaho Foodbank is the recognized fiduciary agent for the Idaho Food Bank Fund, which is administered through an agreement between The Idaho Foodbank and Catholic Charities of Idaho.
Last year, 45 grants were awarded for a total of $158,445 to nonprofits that provide critical nutrition education and hunger relief services across the state.
Visit idahofoodbankfund.org/ to find the application, past grant recipients and other information.
- Hunger relief organizations serving Idahoans are eligible to apply for these grants
- Applicants do not need to be associated with the administering organizations mentioned above to apply for or receive funding.
- Grants will be awarded in early November 2026.
- Applications can be found online or a hardcopy can be requested by sending an email to: grants@idahofoodbankfund.org or calling 208-336-9643.
D.L. EVANS BANK ANNOUNCES DONATION INITIATIVE
TWIN FALLS — D.L. Evans Bank has announced the 2026 Employee Directed Donation Initiative. This donation initiative gives D.L. Evans Bank employees an opportunity to nominate their favorite nonprofit organizations in Idaho and Utah. Each organization will receive a donation from the bank plus a 5% bonus that will be added in the name of the employee who submitted the application.
D.L. Evans Bank is pleased to announce a $3,150 donation to Family Advocates. Wally Hartje, D.L. Evans Bank residential construction loan officer at the Boise West State Street branch, nominated this organization to receive a donation as part of this initiative. Family Advocates is a Southwest Idaho nonprofit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families and preventing child abuse. Since 1978, they have supported children and families through education, advocacy, and community programs that help create safe, stable environments where every child can thrive.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CONVENE IN NATION’S CAPITAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 5,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened last week in the nation’s capital for the 135th Continental Congress, the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The weeklong convention includes business sessions, committee meetings and social functions, and is topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award recipients are honored.
Among them were members of the Idaho State Society of DAR, including Idaho State Regent Julie Riendeau and fellow members of Alice Whitman Chapter in Lewiston. Members also represented Eagle Chapter and Ee-dah-how Chapter in Nampa; Emma Edwards Green Chapter, in Meridian; Lt. George Farragut Chapter in Coeur d’Alene; Rattlesnake Creek Chapter in Mountain Home; Old Fort Hall Chapter in Idaho Falls; and Pioneer Chapter in Boise.
During Congress, the Idaho State Society received several awards, including Eagle Chapter member Barbara Grant, who received third place for the American Heritage Award for Fiber Arts for her cross-stitch entry. Idaho State Society also received third place in the Minute Man Service Award for membership increase. Pioneer Chapter’s Rebecca Linden was recognized as Idaho’s Outstanding Junior and served as a page. Members also attended events including the Patriotism Luncheon, Historic Preservation Luncheon and Units Overseas Luncheon and International Shopping Bazaar.
Idaho State Regent Julie Riendeau said, “It is an honor to represent Idaho at DAR’s Continental Congress in Washington, D.C. on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”
“Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition and opportunity for our members to come together to celebrate our country’s rich history, share ideas, and mark their past year in service. With our nation commemorating its 250th anniversary this year, DAR chapters have been sharing the history of those inspiring individuals who contributed to American independence,” said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, president general.
“Service to our country is at the heart of everything DAR does, and it is always inspiring to welcome thousands of Daughters to our historic headquarters in Washington, DC. Working together, we are dedicated to advancing historic preservation, education, and patriotism for generations to come,” said Storage.
The DAR Continental Congress is an annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding in 1890.