Bigfork girls turn in sterling performance

The Bigfork girls track team has had some great moments in the last decade, but one thing has always eluded them — a state title.

That dry streak ended after 15 years last weekend when juniors Haile Norred and Bryn Morley combined to nearly sweep the long and short distance races. The two girls together would have been able to win the state title against all the other Class B teams in the state, but they had so much help from the rest of the team that they outpaced the second-place team 109 to 53.

Impressive!

Morley, of course, comes from a family track dynasty. Her sister, Makena Morley, was a record-setter at Bigfork, and her brother, Logan, has been a consistent winner as well. But Bryn has set her sights high, and helped the team take home the gold in Butte.

Congratulations to the entire team. You made your hometown proud!

The Wall That Heals

Among the many important stories from the Memorial Day weekend, one that was significant to many local families was finding out that a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall will be visiting Kalispell in September.

Fifty years ago, America was ramping up military operations in the Vietnam War, protests and opposition were building at home, and many families were sending their sons into harm’s way. By the time, the war officially ended in 1975, more than 58,000 U.S. military personnel had perished and thousands more came home to social turmoil and personal despair.

The memorial wall fittingly honors all of the war dead by listing their names. The half-size replica wall is approximately 250 feet in length and will remain in Kalispell for three days for everyone to have a chance to honor the sacrifice of our heroes.

The visit of the replica, which is known as The Wall That Heals, has been arranged by the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. We thank them for their service then, and for their vision now in helping families, individuals and the nation to continue to heal from a brutal war.