Montana American Legion celebrates 100th anniversary in Polson
Robert (Bud) Radtke (Polson), who served in the Korean War in the Air Force and decades later in Desert Storm in the Air National Guard, H.J. Piper (Pablo), a Vietnam Vet who served in 1968-1969, and Tom Leafty (Ronan), who served in Panama from 1990-1994 share commraderie and stories prior to the American Legion Centennial Parade. (Marla Hall/Special to the Lake County Leader)
Howard Haslam from Ronan (American Legion Post 138) is decked out in 1870 cavalry blue and shows the full horse and rider gear from that era. Howard served in the National Guard in 1964. (photo by Marla Hall/Special to the Lake County Leader)
John Gale from Ronan who served in Germany awaits theAmerican Legion Centennial celebraion trip down Polson's main street.
Richard Klose, Montana Commander of the American Legion preparing to lead the parade celebrating the 101 state convention of the Montana American Legion.
This past weekend Polson had the honor of being the site for the centennial celebration of the American Legion.
Hardwick Post 112 hosted the 101st state convention of the group with attendees from around the state including members from local posts—Arlee Post 113, Bigfork Post 86, Charlo Post 126, Ronan Post 138, and St. Ignatius Post 106 in addition to Polson’s Post 112.
Jeff Nelson, of Polson, serves as a state Vice Commander and Ronan’s Glen Sharbono, the District 4 Commander, were among the numerous American Legion members at the event.
A highlight of the convention was a parade on Polson’s Main Street featuring well over 100 veterans and American Legion Auxiliary members proudly marching — some in full dress uniform, others dressed more casually.
Not to be deterred, some of those marching even made the trek down Main Street with the assistance of canes. Other vets rode in and on an array of military vehicles including a white U.S. Navy Jeep, a 1968 half ton cargo truck, a 1943 Freedom truck, a full-tracked amphibious 6-ton cargo carrier, and other military and non-military vehicles.
Although there was not a horse contingent in the parade, Ronan veteran Howard Haslam, dressed in 1870 Horse Cavalry blues, rode aboard a USMC Jeep carrying a display of the tack and gear worn and carried by the equines in the 19th century.
Begun in 1919, the year following World War I or ‘The Great War,’ the American Legion has grown into an organization of nearly 2 million veterans who have served honorably in any branch of the U.S. military.
Founded on four pillars — Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth, the American Legion advocates and lobbies for veterans on many issues and provides scholarships to both military affiliates and high school and college students across the country.
A few noteworthy and perhaps surprising mileposts of the American Legion during its first 100 years include:
1925—creating the American Legion Baseball program;
1935—creating the American Legion Boys State;
1944—advocating for the original GI Bill signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt;
1950—playing a key role in launching the National Association for Mental Health;
1969—establishing the National Emergency Fund;
1972—implementing a Halloween safety program for children;
1982—contributing $1 million as the largest single contributor to the construction of the Vietnam Veterans memorial wall in Washington D.C.;
1989—fighting for the elevation of the Veteran’s Administration to cabinet level status;
1990—creating the Family Support Network to assist families of service members affected by military activation and deployment;
2004—launching the Blue Star Salute to recognize troops, families, and local businesses on Armed Forces Day and
2019—providing over $1 million in assistance to active duty Coast Guard members during the government shutdown.
Many veterans turned out for the parade to be honored in downtown Polson to be honored by hundreds of onlookers that honored them during the parade.
The American Legion turned 100 years has helped members of the arms forces become productive members of society.
The legion has helped many of our former members of our armed forces over the years.