We visited the Montana Veterans Memorial a few days ago, and were both proud and humbled. It’s a beautiful place, and seeing the names of so many Montanans who served is amazing. We found the plates for my girlfriend’s father and grandfather – her father was an Air Force pilot in the 60s and 70s, and her grandfather was a Marine in WWII. We also saw the plates for Colonel Einar Malmstrom (Malmstrom Air Force Base) and Capt Shawn McCaughey (Canadian Snowbirds). There’s also a bench dedicated to the First Special Service Forces, the American-Canadian team assembled during WWII at Fort Harrison in Helena that became the forerunner to modern-day Special Forces units.
(click to see full-size pix)
I’m eagerly awaiting the day we can go see my dad’s tile; it’s been ordered, but it takes a while…
Very cool dude… very cool.
[...] A crisp salute and “thank you” to all veterans on this sacred day: active duty, retired, veterans, Guard and Reserve. If you wear the uniform of the United States of America – or ever did – I offer my sincere gratitude. If you’ve never visited the Montana Veterans Memorial right here in Great Falls, today is a great day to do so (previous entry about it). [...]