Freedom Salute honors local troops

The Montana National Guard's largest Freedom Salute ceremony to honor soldiers and some community leaders is Saturday in Kalispell.

About 90 soldiers will gather at 10 a.m. in the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds for recognition of their duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In addition to soldier and family recognition, Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy will receive the Outstanding Center of Influence award.

The Army Guard has chosen Theresa Johnston, Kalispell Family Readiness Group president, to receive the Distinguished Center of Influence award.

Maj. Gen. Randy Mosley, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, will give the keynote address.

The ceremony will last about two hours.

One of the largest recognition endeavors launched by the Army National Guard, the Freedom Salute campaign honors Army Guard soldiers and those who supported them during recent military operations.

These soldiers activated in November 2003 as part of the 639th Quartermaster Supply Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They returned to Kalispell in March.

The unit was trained and equipped to perform a variety of supply missions, such as providing food and water, vehicle maintenance services, and fuel and fuel support for as many as 18,000 nondivisional soldiers.

Each eligible soldier receives an encased American flag, a commemorative coin, a certificate of appreciation and a lapel insignia. Spouses receive a lapel insignia.

The guard also presents the soldiers' children with "future soldier" footlocker kits. They include Daring Eagle board games, Mission Command games, trading cards and comic books.