Veterans Day events around the Flathead Valley

Veterans Day offers the opportunity for members of the community and students to honor and express our gratitude to our local veterans.

There are several special events happening in the Flathead Valley next week, which give everyone a chance to thank our living veterans who have served in time of war and peace, show appreciation for our active military, and remember those who gave their lives to protect America’s freedom.

Kalispell’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Depot Park downtown.

Here is the schedule of events:

The ceremony will begin with the playing of patriotic music. At 11 a.m. there will be a flag raising conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley, followed by a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Tim Carter, followed by an opening prayer led by Candy Stephens.

After introductory remarks by Tim Carter, Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely (U.S. Army Ret.) will give the Veterans Day Address at 11:15 a.m., then the National Anthem will be sung, with the Honor Guard ceremony at the playing of “Taps” at 11:34 by the United Veterans. The closing prayer will then be said with closing remarks by Carter and singing of “God Bless the USA.

The VFW Post 2252 will host a luncheon and refreshments at noon at 330 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.

The Miracle of America Museum will honor all veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, by offering them free admission to the museum. Any veteran coming to the museum that day is simply asked to identify themselves as a military veteran to receive free admission. Their spouse will also be given free admission.

First celebrated as Armistice Day, the day marked the end of World War I, which came in 1918 on the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.”

At 11 a.m., a poem about and letter from the mother of Orvill Rangeler, a corporal who died during World War I, will be part of a small ceremony held to honor all veterans.

The museum is located at 36094 Memory Lane in Polson and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for children 2 to 12 and $10 for adults. Children under 2 are admitted free.

Area schools are also having the following Veterans Day ceremonies:

The Whitefish High School Student Council invites all veterans to the Whitefish School District's annual Veteran's Day celebration beginning at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the school gymnasium. Members of the community are invited to join the students in honoring local veterans. Students from the Whitefish elementary and middle schools will also attend. There will be special seating for veterans.

The celebration will include performances by the Whitefish High School Orchestra, Band and Choir, Special guest speaker will be veteran and former U.S. Navy Comm. Aldo Kuntz.

Lunch for veterans and their family members will be provided immediately afterward by Chef Sanders and the WHS culinary students.

Peterson School will host its annual Veterans Day celebration Friday, Nov. 11, with an assembly in the school gym that will include songs performed by the kindergarten through fifth grade students.

Pastries and cookies will be served from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., followed by a ceremony from 8:45 to 9 a.m.

Guest speaker will be Sgt John Sinner. Guests will include veteran friends and family of the students and the community.

In addition, fourth graders are participating in their annual Veterans Day service project. They have been collecting donations for the residents of Columbia Falls Veterans Home, as well as for the Veterans Food Pantry.

RSVP with the total number of guests attending to prewittk@sd5.k12.mt.us. Feel free to also include the veteran’s photo, name and branch/rank if desired.

Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell will honor all veterans and friends at its Veterans Day celebration Friday, Nov. 11.

Trinity’s eighth graders will serve breakfast at 9:30 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. A special assembly will follow at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary, led by all the students.

Flathead High School will recognize the contribution of local veterans together with the community at its school-wide Veterans Day assembly from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11.

If you would like to be a recognized veteran and honored at the assembly, contact Flathead High School 406-751-3500 ext. 3462, no later than Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Bigfork High School’s National Honor Society and history students will present their 22nd annual Veterans Day Assembly at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in the Bigfork High School gymnasium.

Students will present facts on the historical significance of Veterans Day, view an original video production from the BHS journalism class, listen to poignant letters from soldiers, honor Gold Star Mothers, and recite patriotic poetry.

The winner of the “Voice of Democracy” will read his/her essay, and the Bigfork High School Band will be performing with the BHS cheerleaders serving as the color guard.

The program will also be streamed live and viewers can access this service through the school Facebook account (Bigfork School District 38) the day of the event.

All veterans and the public are welcome, and refreshments will be served afterward for veterans and their guests.

This year Glacier High School will be honoring Veterans Day by participating in a new project that creates paracord "survival" bracelets, which will be sent to an organization called Operation Gratitude after Nov. 11. Operation Gratitude collects these bracelets and sends them in care packages to members of the military and first responders. According to information provided by Operation Gratitude, a paracord bracelet can be used for several life-sustaining tasks, such as hanging an IV bag from a tree, securing camouflage nets, building a makeshift structure, making a sling, splint, or harness to help an injured person.

This project was selected as a way for students to honor military and first responder service by providing practical equipment that can be used to help in survival. Students will have the opportunity during both lunches during the week of Nov. 7 to 11 to put together the paracord bracelets from materials purchased locally.

The GHS Wolfpack Wrestling program also honors Veterans Day (and other holidays) by putting up flags on Main Street in Kalispell. This project is done in conjunction with the Kalispell VFW, and is a strong tradition in the Wolfpack Wrestling program.