Memorial Day ceremonies listed

For a first time, Columbia Falls American Legion Post 72 will conduct a formal wreath laying from the U.S. 2 bridge on Memorial Day, May 26, in honor of all service people lost at sea. The public is invited to attend.

The ceremony will begin at the Veterans Memorial Wall in Marantette Park at 1 p.m. with a march or walk to the bridge for a short memorial. Participants will return to the Memorial Wall for the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley’s service at about 2:30 p.m.

Twelve members of the American Legion participated last weekend in cleaning the Memorial Wall and painting about 28 highway marker crosses.

The United Veterans of the Flathead Valley will present military honors at various locations and cemeteries around the valley on Memorial Day. The public is invited to attend. The schedule includes:

10:30 a.m. Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kalispell

11 a.m. Veterans Memorial, Depot Park, Kalispell

11:45 a.m. VFW Post 2252 luncheon, First Ave. West, Kalispell

12:30 p.m. Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell, retire flag and raise new flag

1:45 p.m. Fairview Cemetery in Columbia Falls

2:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial at Marantette Park in Columbia Falls

3 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls

3:30 p.m. Veterans Home Cemetery in Columbia Falls

The United Veterans of the Flathead Valley is comprised of all the veterans organizations in the valley, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and their auxiliaries, and the National Guard.

The United Veterans provides the Honor Guard to perform military honors for any deceased veteran. The Honor Guard consists of a captain of the guard, flag bearers, firing squad and a bugler, generally 12 to 15 members.

Honor Guard members are all volunteers. Current membership is about 25.

The American Legion Auxiliary will hand out hand-made poppies at Smith’s Food and Drug in Columbia Falls on Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25.

According to a proclamation by Columbia Falls mayor Don Barnhart, “The red poppy has been designated as a symbol of the sacrifice of lives in all wars, as well as the millions who have answered the call to arms and have died on the field of battle.”

The proceeds from this fundraising campaign are used to benefit disabled and needy veterans and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.