Veterans Day events take place all week

Veterans Day ceremonies are scheduled across the Flathead Valley this week. All veterans and active military personnel are invited and the public is encouraged to attend.

WEDNESDAY

Stillwater Christian School hosts a Veterans Day assembly at 2 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

The program will honor veterans with music and presentations. The public is invited.

THURSDAY

Columbia Falls High School hosts a Veterans Day Assembly at 10 a.m. in the school gymnasium. The public is invited.

Guest speaker is Luke Opp, a former Marine sergeant who grew up in and now lives in Columbia Falls.

The assembly will feature music from the band and choir, as well as a song from students from Ruder and Glacier Gateway elementary schools. The two winners of the elementary school essay contest will read their essays.

Linda Hopkins, a teacher at Ruder, will receive the Karel Hagen award for teachers in the district who have served in the military.

FRIDAY

Swan River School hosts its Veterans Days program starting at 8:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium.

Guest speaker is Flathead Valley resident Navy Master Chief Tom Countryman.

Coffee and cake will be served afterward. Veterans, families and friends are welcome to attend.

The school is located at 1205 Montana 83 in Bigfork, next to Echo Lake Cafe.

Bigfork High School’s 17th annual Veterans Day Assembly begins at 10 a.m. in the school gymnasium. All veterans and public are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

The winner of the “Voice of Democracy” will read his/her essay. The Bigfork High School Band and Choir perform and the cheerleaders will serve as honor guard. The students will demonstrate and explain the “Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony.”

Students will also share the historical significance of Veterans Day, a Christmas letter from fallen World War II Marine 1st Lt. Leonard Smith Isacks Jr. to his sons, Gold Star Mother presentations, and a poem by C.M. Towsley titled “MIA.”

The program will be streamed live; viewers can access the program through the school website Friday at www.bigforkschools.org

Whitefish High School Student Council will sponsor its annual Veterans Day observance and celebration of veterans at 10:30 a.m. in the high school gym.

The program will last approximately one hour.

Guest speaker is Staff Sgt. Francis Scott. Patriotic selections by the high school band, choir, orchestra and drum line will also be featured.

Veterans valley wide are invited to attend in uniform and community members are encouraged to attend and show their thanks and appreciation to those who have served our country.

Lakeside Elementary School will honor local veterans at its Veterans Day assembly beginning at 2:15 p.m. in the gymnasium.

Retired Navy Capt. Craig Solem will be the featured guest. All veterans and community members are welcome.

The United Veterans of the Flathead Valley, together with the local chapter of the Montana Civil Air Patrol and the Depot Park Memorial board will host a Veterans Day ceremony at Depot Park in Kalispell. Tim Carter with the Memorial board will emcee.

Chuck Olson will open the program at 10:45 a.m. with patriotic music. Members of the Civil Air Patrol will then raise the flag at 11 a.m.

Chaplain Bob Stephens will give the opening prayer.

Jay Trepanier with the United Veterans will give the Veterans Day Address, followed by the “National Anthem.”

Members of the United Veterans will assist with an Honor Guard ceremony and Echo Bugles will perform “Taps,” followed by a closing prayer and “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Lunch and refreshments will be served at noon at the Kalispell Elks. Everyone is welcome.

The Elks will also serve a Veterans Day dinner at 5:30 p.m. with live music by Swings Light, directed by B.J. Lupton. The cost is $9.95.

Famous Dave’s restaurants are thanking all former and current military personnel for their service by offering a free Two Meat Combo meal on Veterans Day.

The offer is applicable to all military personnel with valid photo identification and proof of military service (including U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card, form DD-214 or current leave and earnings statement with photo ID).

The Kalispell location is located at 2340 U.S. 93 N.

For complete details, visit famousdaves.com/veterans or call 406-752-7427.