For the week of May 1 - 7, 2002

Reeves to be honored for public service

---

By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

After giving selflessly for more than 30 years, part-time Elkhorn resident and Ketchum American Legion member Reginald Reeves is about to do some receiving.

Reginald Reeves

Reeves, also an Idaho Falls attorney, is being recognized for his giving nature, and will be presented next week with two prestigious U.S. Army awards. Some say Reeves has actually redefined giving as a complete and total commitment to others.

Reeves, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and a member of the David Ketchum American Legion Post, has collected and distributed 2,500 pounds of food to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and senior citizen centers. Every month he drives nearly 500 miles round trip to Mountain Home Air Force Base to deliver computers, clothing, toys and books for those in need.

And this is just the tip of the ice berg for a man who donates over 25 hours a week to charitable causes in addition to working full time as a lawyer.

In recognition of his selfless service, Reeves will receive two Army awards: the Commander’s Award for Public Service and the Outstanding Civil Service Medal. The awards will be presented at a ceremony May 8 at the American Legion Hall in Ketchum at 6 p.m.

Idaho Attorney General Al Lance, U.S. Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and state Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, and state Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, are expected to attend.

Ketchum Postmaster John McDonald, who has known Reeves for six years as a fellow member of the Ketchum American Legion Post, said this is the first time in at least 10 years these awards have been presented in the western United States.

"So, there is some prestige to these awards," McDonald said.

This will also be the first time in 30 years Reeves has been recognized for his contributions.

While humble at heart, Reeves doesn’t hesitate to tell people why he gives so much of himself.

"It’s a way of paying back," he said. "My philosophy is that service to others is the rent we pay for the space we occupy, and I like to pay my rent."

McDonald explained it from his point of view:

"Reginald and his wife, Beverly, are just wonderful people," he said. "I guess they’re some of those folks that, you always hear good things about them.

"He spends countless hours of his own time, with no pay, and sometimes, I’m sure, not as much gratitude as he obviously deserves. This is just one of those individuals who’s devoted the later years of his life to public service."

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.