Polson plans Memorial Day extravaganza
From a singing flag and Chinook flyover at the bridge dedication to a monumental parade, Polson has organized a Memorial Day weekend that veterans and others will not soon forget.
Marki Devlin, Freedom Day information person at First Citizens Bank in Polson, said the idea for the monster Memorial Day celebration began with bank President Rick Skates. His daughter, Army 1st. Lt. Natalie Skates, recently returned from a 12-month deployment as an emergency-room nurse in Iraq.
In a letter asking for support for Western Montana Freedom Day, Skates said his daughter had witnessed the daily turmoil and hardship of war in the Baghdad, Iraq, emergency room.
"My daughter has shared with us many stories of bravery and heroism of our military," Skates wrote.
She and her unit recently were featured in an hour-long documentary on CNN, "Combat Hospital," which aired internationally. With Memorial Day looming, her father was inspired.
"Rick wanted to so something a little more extravagant as a thank-you to our troops," Devlin said. "It just grew and grew and grew."
Skates began by organizing the Freedom Day Committee nonprofit organization with the mission of honoring veterans past and present. They asked service people and their families to bring in pictures and narratives for a Freedom Wall.
"We have seven walls full of pictures, and I have 50 pictures to get up today," Devlin said. "I'm sure we have close to a thousand of them."
She said the photos document military action from World War II, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. During the celebration, the walls of photos will be moved from the bank to Linderman School, and then to the Miracle of America Museum."You definitely need to stop and see these," Devlin said.
Beginning on Saturday morning, businesses salute veterans with all manner of freebies, including beer at Glacier Brewery, golf at Polson Golf Course and bowling at the Sports Page Bowl.
An outpouring of support from the community brought about Sunday's planned rededication of the bridge over the Flathead River as the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge, complete with a statue of a soldier saluting an American flag in Riverside Park next to the bridge.
Organizers encourage troops past and present to wear their uniforms Sunday and Monday.
The dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. kicks off the major events Sunday with a cannon blast to signal the 89th Cavalry color guard to cross the bridge on horseback. Sherry Helm then sings the national anthem, followed by the tribal anthem presented by the Tribal Warrior Society.
At 3:20 p.m., schoolchildren from across the Mission Valley form into a flag to sing the "Freedom Day Song."
"It's going to be really cool," Devlin said.
After the singing flag, dignitaries - including Maj. Gen. Randall Mosley of the Montana National Guard, Jim Lynch, director of the Montana Department of Transportation, and state Rep. Janna Taylor - each will give 3-minute remarks.
At 3:45, Bronze Star recipient Marine Cecil Baker unveils the statue created by artist Brian Schmid. Doves will be released as a symbol of peace.
Bridge flyovers begin at 4 p.m., including a T-6 Military Trainer from Semitool, a Seaman (bi-wing) from Missoula, several civilian planes, and a Vietnam-vintage Huey helicopter, and they finish with a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter bow to the crowd.
Sunday evening activities feature a skydiver's free-fall at 5, a drill exercise by the 89th Cavalry at 6, a free Bop-A-Dips concert at 7, and fireworks at dark by Jack Cross.
Monday's parade down Main Street, which starts at 12:30 p.m., bears little resemblance to the "smallish" Memorial Day parades of the past. With more than 150 entries, the parade includes Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Congressman Denny Rehberg and flyovers by an F-16 jet, helicopters and other aircraft.
"Everyone in the community has pitched in," Devlin said. "It's going to be huge."
The official Memorial Day ceremony begins at 4 p.m. at Linderman School (Polson) gymnasium and will feature patriotic music and songs. Mosley speaks at 4:30 p.m. before an audience that will include top military brass.
"There are going to be tons of generals," Devlin said.
Ceremonial events call for introduction of 12 generals, other dignitaries and Gold Star families who have lost sons or daughters in action.
At 5:15 p.m., Cathy Saltz, mother of Matt Saltz, Montana's first fallen soldier in Iraq, speaks. Next, Gold Star families escorted by Armed Forces members receive flags presented by Polson High School cheerleaders.
At 5:30 p.m., retired Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely addresses the crowd. He became well-known as an author and military news analyst for FOX News.
An official Memorial Day service concludes the ceremonies.
"I don't think there will be a dry eye in the place," Devlin said.
For additional information, visit the Polson Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.polsonchamber.com.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com