by John Dowd
One of the oldest of its kind in the state, and well over 100 years in age, the Corvallis Memorial Day Parade is slated to happen, again on schedule, Monday, May 29. This year, selected as the Grand Marshall is a man who has been extremely influential, not only in the affairs of veterans in Corvallis, but across the state. Retired Colonel Ike Slaughter has been involved with the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 for over 25 years. Hailing from Missouri, Slaughter and his wife moved to the area and raised two boys, both of whom attended and graduated Stevensville High School. He explained that the first time he was in the Bitterroot he was in Kootenai Canyon doing some rock climbing.
Slaughter served as an Army Combat Arms Officer, and Green Beret. He served in Vietnam, Desert Storm and more over his 30 years of military service. At 75, he continues to be active in the Special Forces community, post service. Slaughter co-founded and was president of the Special Forces Association of Montana and co-founded and is the current president of the Joint Service Special Operations Fund. Both are non-profits committed to aiding military members and their families. The organizations bring 150 soldiers, families and Gold-Stars to retreats and respites in Montana. The latter of those are individuals who have lost family members to active service. These respites include outdoors activities and recreation across Montana.
Along with those organizations, Slaughter remains active in the American Legion in Corvallis. “We’ve done quite a few things to bring the Legion up and make it a very productive post,” said Slaughter.
“I was greatly honored to have been selected. There are just so many great people involved in that Legion post,” said Slaughter when he spoke about his appointment as this year’s Grand Marshal. Riding alongside him in the World War II jeep down Main street Monday will be his wife, Brenda. She is also a retired U.S. Air Force Officer and is involved with the American Legion as well.
Both of the organizations Slaughter co-founded can be visited at either SFA28.org for the Special Forces Association of Montana, and JSSOF.org for the Joint Service Special Operations Fund.