A Day of Honor

Despite the frigid temperatures and a layer of snow across the county, Valley County residents gathered in Glasgow to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country in uniform.

The day began, as many do, with breakfast. This one was reserved, however, for veterans and their spouses, served at the VFW by Glasgow High School students volunteering their time. Locals, such as Don Fast and Joe Yeoman, gave their time and thoughts on service to Aaron Flint, who broadcasted his radio talk show from the local post.

Breakfast, which was available from 7 to 9 a.m., brought in many guests of honor, despite the cold, with 72 plates served. One local volunteer at the VFW remarked, "What I like about these events is that I get to see people who aren't normally here."

At 8:15 a.m., several veterans made their way to the Glasgow Middle School where, for the first time, the school hosted their own Veterans Day program. Sergeant Jessica Pennington presented the colors, before the Glasgow High School band, under the direction of Todd Truscott, performed the national anthem. The invocation was given by Jason Myers, a U.S. Army veteran, followed by the "Eternal Father" by the GHS band.

Yeoman spoke to the students about the Who, What, Where and Why of Veterans Day, giving a history of the day originally known as Armistice Day in honor of the end of World War I. After drawing attention to how many students had parents or grandparents who had served, Yeoman asked student Charlie Cornwell to join him and don Yeoman's old Army jacket. Yeoman pointed out the combat and noncombat patches, likening the roles played by soldiers to the offense and defense of a football team.

The local VFW commander pitched military service as an option for students in the future as a way to further their education and see the world. Pondering how the world might be different had America not entered the war in Europe to the respect now afforded to service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Yeoman extolled the virtues of military service, before ending his presentation saying, "Veterans have kept us safe. So thank your parents. Thank your grandparents. You're free because of them."

The band played their last number, "Armed Forces," before Myers gave the benediction and Serg. Pennington retired the colors. From the middle school, the veterans proceeded to Irle Elementary for a special performance from Mrs. Christine Gilchrist's fifth-grade music students.

Veterans were given seats of honor while students ringed the music room. Under Gilchrist's direction, the students performed the staple Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless the USA." Once the song was completed, lyric sheets were handed out to honored guests, who were invited to sing along as the students gave an encore. Before departing, veterans were treated to a sneak peak of the students' Christmas program, with a holiday version of "Hallelujah." Obviously impressed, one guest mentioned, "It's amazing what they have done with these kids. So impressive."

The main event of the day began at 10:30 a.m. in the Glasgow High School auditorium, where guests were witness to a salute to the men and women of the United States military branches. Yeoman, as master of ceremonies, guided participants and observers through the program, beginning with the presentation of the colors. The Scottie band was on stage, in their band uniforms, to play the national anthem before the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Myers offered the invocation, followed by "The Navy Hymn" by the band. Yeoman introduced the local VFW officers, Art Widhalm, Rod Ost, Angie Wersal, and Myers, representing the multiple veterans organizations in Glasgow. The GHS Choir performed a musical medley, with sampling from "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful," before an unscheduled appearance by Montana Representative Greg Gianforte. The congressman stepped up on stage to the podium to recognize Glasgow resident Adeline Mitchell, who waved from her seat. Mitchell was recognized by Gianforte for her service in the U.S. Navy during World War II with his 2019 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation. Gianforte promised to return to Glasgow to properly present Mitchell with her award in the future.

Following the impromptu appearance, it was time for the keynote address, delivered by Glasgow native Aaron Flint. The self-described former troublemaker recounted some of his history, from his time at GHS to his work in Senator Conrad Burns' Capitol office, to his own personal call to service following 9/11. Flint told the gathered guests of his earlier conversations with Fast and Yeoman, honoring "the heroes in our midst."

Flint lightened the somber mood of the day, noting that much of the news out of the forever wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is bad, but shared that for veterans such as himself, the day can also be a time to remember the good: the men and women who served beside each other. He relayed a story about being out on patrols where he and his fellow Marines would ditch their uniform covers for baseball hats with special meaning to them, such as their favorite sports teams, before a call of "Nascar, nascar, nascar" over the loudspeakers would alert them to brass in the area, giving them time to return to uniform regulations before getting chits written up on them.

The keynote speaker highlighted that he, like anyone who has gone through tough and trying times, remembers who was with him, "who was on your left, who was on your right," when you needed them, demonstrating that fabled sense of military camaraderie. Wrapping up his presentation, he paraphrased General Jim Mattis, saying, " I feel sorry for those who were not there with us," before concluding with a nod to insubordination, "Nascar, nascar, nascar!"

The humorous ending to Flint's speech came before a moment of silence at 11 a.m., to pay homage to the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. Yeoman reminded everyone that history declared it to be "the war to end all wars," but the MC asked everyone to take a moment to ponder "where are we now?" 101 years later.

Veterans then stepped forward to the front of the stage to demonstrate proper flag folding procedure while Yeoman recited the symbols for the folds of the flag, of unknown origin, from the American Legion. Yeoman then repeated the simple, yet poignant, sentiment of the day, "Thank you, veterans."

The "Armed Forces Salute" was presented by the GHS band and Yeoman asked veterans of each branch, Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, to stand and be recognized as their anthem was played. Yeoman then posed his question of the day to the students in the audience as to who had parents or grandparents who had served, encouraging each and every one of them to extend their gratitude.

The choir performed a rendition of "You're a Grand Old Flag," complete with kazoos, before the benediction by Myers and the retiring of the colors by the National Guard. Leonard Swenson and Max Knodel performed "Echoing Taps" as the program came to a close.

Following the ceremony, everyone was invited to the VFW for a potluck lunch and for the public to learn more about the histories of the "heroes in our midst."