Saturday I invited two of my grandsons, from Wyoming and Texas to join me for the Cokeville Parade.

SVI Media had a float for the event, but after making the Osmond Corner with the decorated flatbed, we must have passed the recommended float speed of 35mph for our construction project and we suffered a malfunction.

So with a quick turn-around and an exchange of vehicles so we could still head to our neighboring Lincoln County community for an SVI Media Photo Gallery as they celebrated Pioneer Day.

Cokeville had a great parade and on the way home I decided to create a teaching moment for my grandson’s, Chancy and Tate.

We stopped by the Delaine Roberts Memorial on the south side of the South End (Salt River Summit).

I told my grandsons, “let me introduce you to a friend who had a lifetime of accomplishments.”

We read the narrative sign, noting Delaine’s service in the Army, as a WGF Game Warden, Highway Patrolman, County Sheriff, U.S. Marshal, Wyoming Senate and Wildlife and Natural Resources Chairman.

In addition, Delaine had received several honors over the years, such as Peace Officer of the Year, Law Enforcement Hall of Fame and Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame.

I knew about these as we had written feature reports at SVI on this good person over the years.

When he was inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame in Cody, I asked my wife to join me for a quick trip to Cody for the event. We agreed to take turns driving for an up and back night run through Yellowstone National Park.

We both wanted to be there to support Delaine as we appreciated he and wife Nelda so much.

At the event we learned how others across the state had learned to appreciate our good Star Valley friend over the years.

With my grandsons standing at his memorial site, I reviewed his service and accomplishments and then used the opportunity to teach those young men that their lives can also be filled with service to their fellowman, as was Delaine’s.

On the way back into the valley we continued the discussion and I realized it was just not a day to cover a parade but it was a priceless teaching moment for my grandsons.

Thanks to my late friend, Delaine, for being a wonderful example and providing me with an opportunity to have a meaningful experience with my grandsons so many years later.

As I told my grandsons, men and women like Delaine are what make life a better experience as they give their lives in service to others.