Letters to the editor June 12
Use of federal force
In reference to Sen. Steve Daines’ and Gov. Greg Gianforte’s quotes on the LA immigration protests, I’m curious where they stand on President Trump’s pardoning of 1,270 convicted rioters that charged the Capital on Jan. 6, 2021. The Jan. 6 riot destroyed federal property and attacked law enforcement. Trump was president on Jan. 6, 2021 and yet he did not enforce federal law at that time.
That seems inexcusable and illegal to me. Where do you stand Sen. Daines and Gov. Gianforte?
— Cathy Pitts, Whitefish
Positive impact
To all the incredible coaches at Flathead High School track and field.
A special acknowledgment goes to coaches Dan Hodge, Paul Jorgenson, Kaylee Fox, Jesse Rumsey, Gary Moen and many others who pour so much into this program, and to their spouses and families who support them every step of the way. You are all to be commended.
Coach Jorgenson, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing your decades long commitment to coaching cross country and distance runners. When you couldn’t run alongside your athletes, you were right there with them on your bike, pushing them to be their best. No one dared to slack off with Coach Jorgenson on their heels, bike tires humming and encouragement ringing out.
Your dedication didn’t stop at the track. You’ve also sat beside countless new drivers in Kalispell, helping them navigate the roads safely as part of their driver’s education journey. That takes a special kind of courage and heart.
To all of the coaches: Thank you for your unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment throughout the 2025 season. Your leadership, encouragement, and tireless efforts have shaped not just better athletes, but stronger, more confident individuals.
To your spouses and families. Thank you for sharing your time, your weekends and your energy, and for being the quiet strength behind the scenes. Your support allows these coaches to do what they do best, and our community is better for it.
You’ve all inspired discipline, teamwork and perseverance in every practice and meet. The time and energy you invest in your athletes do not go unnoticed. We are truly grateful for the positive impact you’ve had on our youth and our community.
— Craig A. Smith, Kalispell
Veterans’ graves vandalized
On behalf of VFW Post 276, I want to say thank you to Whitefish Police, Whitefish Fire, the Whitefish High School band and all members of the community who joined us for our Memorial Day services. It is greatly appreciated.
VFW Post 276 members placed 90 large flags around the perimeter and approximately 350 flags on veterans’ graves at the Whitefish Cemetery. This is a long tradition going back over 45 years that our Post does.
Sometime between Saturday afternoon, May 24 and Monday morning, May 26, about 80 of the gravesite flags were vandalized along with some parts of headstones and flower displays. I went to the cemetery to assess the damages of the vandalism. We tried to replace all the vandalized flags prior to our ceremonies being held. I apologize if there was a veteran grave that got missed with a flag. We do our best to make sure that we honor every veteran grave.
I ask that if anyone knows any information or hears anything about who is responsible for the vandalism to please reach out to me. It is a disgrace to do that type of thing in a cemetery and to dishonor those that served our country so that we may live in this free country.
I would like to sit down with the individual(s) that did this and ask why? Also, I would like to educate them in everything that veterans have done and continue to do and the time involved. Thank you to all that support and honor our veterans.
— Dustin Wegner, Whitefish