Thousands turn out for Freedom Day events

It was a weekend marked by remembrance, celebration, and sorrow, but by all accounts, Freedom Day was a success.

The weather could have been better — especially on Sunday for the program at Riverside Park for the dedication of the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge. And on Monday, it was cold and windy but the rain held off until after the Memorial Day parade in Polson.

But that didn’t keep the people away. Approximately 2,000 persons braved the rainfall for the Sunday afternoon program. The event was opened with a cannon shot which signaled a mounted color guard of four members of the 89th Cavalry to cross the bridge.

The program featured Sherry Helm singing the National Anthem which was followed by presentation of the Tribal Anthem by members of the Tribal Warriors Society. Children from throughout the valley formed a living American flag with their red, white and blue T-shirts and caps and sang the Freedom Song, written by Karen Lewing. The kids had rehearsed lining up and singing for nearly two hours before the program — in a much heavier rainfall.

Welcoming remarks and acknowledgments were given by representatives of the City of Polson, Lake County, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, State of Montana, and Montana National Guard. Also introduced were the bridge designer Kirk Rossland and memorial sculptor Brian Schmid and builders Wes Delaney, Jerry Whealon, Dave Mercer and Ken Gochis.

Representing the armed forces at the dedication of the bridge were Pruett Helm, Army; Jerry Whealon, Navy; Wes Vert, Air Force, Tara Ewers, Marines. Army Nurse Lt. Natalie Skates filled in for the Coast Guard.

The unveiling of the memorial plaque at the bridge was done by Bronze Star recipient Marine Cecil Baker and Game Warden Rick Schoening released doves as a symbol of peace.

Closing the bridge ceremony was a flyover the an F4-U Corsair, T-6 trainer, float plane, and helicopters including a National Guard Blackhawk.

The day’s activities then moved to Linderman School field where the helicopters landed, and there were food concessions, photo and article displays in the gym lobby, and a concert by the Bop a Dips in the gym.

Memorial Day

The Memorial Day parade was started by a flyover of two F-16 jets at precisely 12:30 p.m. As the parade was underway the F-4U Corsair, AT-6, helicopters also flew overhead.

Parade entries included floats from businesses, churches, organizations, plus individuals, veterans, lodges, the Polson High School Band, the Freedom Day kids, and Boy Scouts, and many more. All told, there were over 160 entries in the hour-and-a-half parade. Both the parade and number of spectators were among the biggest, if not the biggest, in Polson’s history.

Closing ceremonies were held Linderman gym with singing of the National Anthem by Greg Devlin, a former member of the Air Force’s Singing Sergeants; the Tribal Anthem by drummer and singers introductions of various dignitaries; brief talks by generals; presentation of a number of certificates of appreciation to participants and planners of the celebration.

General Randall Mosley gave the first of several keynote speeches, telling the hundreds of folks in attendance about the history of Memorial Day.

“Some would say that Memorial Day is a long weekend of barbecues and drinking beer. But as I look around at the assembled here, I see that many Montanans understand the true meaning of Memorial Day,” he said.

He then read the names of the more than two dozen Army, Marine and National Guardsman from Montana who have been killed in Iraq, to date.

“As a human being, I share the pain and sorrow that their families were made to bear,” Mosley said.

Senator Jon Tester also talked about the sacrifice others had made, and said he would fight for funding to ensure returning soldiers get the medical and psychological treatment they need.

“They aren’t just numbers — they are true American heroes,” Tester said of the soldiers serving overseas.

Congressman Denny Rehberg was next, and he paid homage to the Gold Star families in attendance — those that had lost loved ones in Iraq already.

“Most importantly, our honored dead have left us with inspiration to serve a cause greater than ourselves,” Rehberg said. “Memorial Day is about family. It’s about caring for our country, and it could not have been done without those of you who have served.”

Perhaps the most poignant comments came from Cathy Saltz, mother of Matthew Saltz, Montana’s first soldier killed in Iraq. She talked about the grieving and healing process families go through when they enter the Gold Star fraternity.

“As families, we are bound together by grief, grit, grace and gratitude,” she said. “It’s the one job we never wanted. We didn’t apply for it; there’s no resume. It’s with a heart full of gratitude that I say ‘thank you’ … for all the support that has come our way.”

Especially poignant was the introduction of Gold Star Mothers and Families. Members of the Polson High School cheerleaders conducted an moving flag ceremony honoring the Gold Start families.

The most rousing speech was given by Fox News senior military analyst, General Paul Vallely, who lost a son in Special Forces training at Ft. Bragg.

“God bless our leaders, to lead us to victory against all who threaten the United States. Give our leaders the courage to lead us to victory early,” he said. “Don’t let anybody take this country down. Our heroes today don’t ask for praise, and they don’t look forward to thanks. Take the handcuffs off our troops and let them fight the war and win it.”

Organizer Rick Skates was honored with several presentations for his efforts.