Soldiers are gone but dinner will go on

Thanks to volunteers, the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the Montana National Guard’s traditional Christmas at Our House dinner returns for its 23rd year on Saturday, Dec. 8.

Diners may show up anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the holiday meal at the Kalispell Armed Forces Reserve Center at 2989 U.S. 93 North.

The Guard puts on the dinner as a thank-you to the community for supporting its military sector.

“It was originally thought we would have to cancel it this year because the major portion of the unit is deployed,” Capt. Mark Juntunen said. “But the general was here last year and said it was a good thing for the community and, if you get enough support from the community, it needs to happen.”

He asked for assistance from long-time supporters Shannon and Denise Nalty, local Realtors, who went out looking for volunteers to pitch in to save the traditional buffet dinner.

Denise Nalty said she and her husband originally got involved with Christmas at Our House 13 years ago when the Guard was in the old armory on U.S. 93 South.

She figured the effort needed at least 130 people. First tapping friends in the real estate business who have helped out in the past, Denise expanded to churches and other community groups.

Word spread and volunteers soon popped up everywhere.

“Kalispell Toyota called me and asked, ‘How can we help,’” she said. “Now I have all the volunteers I need.”

Juntunen said the Naltys, with help from Kalispell Toyota, spearheaded an effort that caught fire. Numerous businesses stepped up to help.

“We’ve gotten donations from around the valley,” he said. “Pepsi is doing all the drinks. Meadow Gold is doing all the dairy. Cravens is providing the coffee and service. We have money from countless others for turkeys and hams.”

Eagle Transit agreed to provide bus service while the Civil Air Patrol will assist with parking.

Juntunen said he was so overwhelmed with people calling who wanted to help that he finally had to turn some down.

He estimated that 150 people volunteered for jobs ranging from serving and cooking to set-up and tear-down duties.

With a small army at the ready, his battle plan calls for preparing more than 4,000 servings. The classic holiday meal includes turkey, ham, dressing, green bean casserole, yams, cranberry sauce and desserts.

Juntunen said Christmas at Our House went through 4,100 plates at the 2011 event.

“That included to-go boxes that we send to firefighters on duty and the retirement homes,” he said. “People are welcome to come for an early lunch and come back for dinner.”

Youngsters may find the jolly old elf available to hear their holiday wishes. Santa promised to visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“He may have a small gift for them,” Juntunen said.

He said the deployed members of the 495th remain at Fort Hood in Texas. The unit expects to travel to Afghanistan sometime before Christmas.

“They’re training up,” he said. “It won’t be too much longer and they will fly out.”

At one time, Guard units all over Montana held holiday dinners to thank their communities. Even with two major deployments to the Middle East, the 495th has kept the tradition going in the Flathead Valley as only Christmas at Our House left in Montana.

Nalty said that everyone’s thoughts and prayers would be with the unit as they put on the meal in their absence.

“It’s going to be another success,” she said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.