Several local events honor military veterans
Veterans and those now serving in the military will be honored at a number of special events around the Flathead Valley.
Community members are invited and encouraged to attend these celebrations to show their respect and gratitude for those who have served our country.
MONDAY
• Bigfork High School invites the public to its 15th annual Veterans Day Assembly at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.
Refreshments will be served following the assembly.
• Trinity Lutheran School hosts a Veterans Day celebration at 11 a.m. The school is located at 495 Fifth Ave. W.N., Kalispell. A free luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall.
Donations will be accepted for a canned food drive for the Veterans Food Pantry. Call 257-6716 for more details.
TUESDAY
• The Whitefish High School Student Council is sponsoring its annual Veterans Day Assembly at 9 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.
The program will last approximately one hour. Cmdr. D. Alan “Aldo” Kuntz, U.S. Navy (Ret.) will be guest speaker. The high school band, choir and orchestra will perform a variety of patriotic selections.
Veterans valleywide are invited to attend in uniform and community members are encouraged to show their thanks and appreciation to those who have served our country. The entrance to the gymnasium is located on the southeast side of the high school facing Muldown Elementary School.
• The National Honor Society of Columbia Falls High School presents its annual Veterans Day Assembly at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.
Three local veterans will have presentations made in their honor and local elementary school students who won the Veterans Day essay contest will read their winning entries.
For more information, contact Krista Martens at Columbia Falls High School at 892-6500.
• The Flathead Veterans Memorial board and the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley will present a Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in Depot Park in Kalispell.
The featured speaker is retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, a former Fox News military analyst and a noted military speaker.
The United Veterans will conduct the honors for the American flag and for all who have served our country.
The public is encouraged to attend this brief ceremony as a tribute to all military who have served and those who are currently serving. Those attending are asked to bring folding chairs or stools.
Following the ceremony, the Kalispell Elks Club will host a fellowship hour and all are invited to attend and meet the program participants.
• Swan River School will have a Veterans Day assembly at 2 p.m. All veterans and the members of the public are welcome.
Call 837-4528 for more information.
• Lakeside Elementary School present a Veterans Day program from 2:15 to 3 p.m.
Students will sing patriotic songs, read letters to veterans and honor each branch of service. Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms.
• Whitefish Christian Academy invites the public to a flag retirement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Retired Marine Corps officer Joe Coco will officiate.
The ceremony will be held at 820 Ashar Ave. in Whitefish in the school parking lot.
The disposal of the American flag is a solemn event. The public is invited to learn about the proper disposal of the flag and bring any flags no longer deemed fit for service.
Led by the fourth-grade class, Whitefish Christian Academy students and staff will attend to honor veterans and celebrate their sacrifice and service. For more information, call the school at 862-5875.
WEDNESDAY
• Stillwater Christian School hosts a Veterans Day celebration in the school gymnasium.
The program will begin at 2:20 p.m. A reception for veterans and guests will be held prior to assembly at 1:45 p.m.
Students will share poetry, music and other readings to show their appreciation of veterans’ military service.
The widow of World War II pilot Rudy Bergstom will share excerpts from letters from her husband throughout his time in the service.