by Kay Gibbons for the Bitterroot Star
It all started with a novel idea proposed by Harris Himes at a gathering of all of the valley’s American Legion posts.
“We need to sponsor a Veteran’s Day Dinner for all the Veterans in the Bitterroot Valley,” said Himes. And so began a multi-months’ long planning for the inaugural Bitterroot Veterans’ Appreciation Dinner, starting way back in April.
As the planning progressed, the citizens of the Bitterroot Valley supported the efforts wholeheartedly. The organizers specifically chose to hold this event to honor local veterans and not to use it as a fundraiser. They were humbled to have so many donors graciously helping to achieve that goal.
Sold-out crowd of more than 600 at the first-ever all-valley Veterans Day Dinner. Photo courtesy Kay Gibbons.
Starting with Farmers State Bank who donated the rental of the Event Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds and agreed to sell tickets at each of the branch banks in the valley. Other organizations quickly stepped forward to donate items and/or money to help cover expenses or enhance the planned program.
Trapper Creek Job Corps Culinary Arts program catered the event. They had hoped to sell about 200-300 tickets, and when that number exploded to a sell-out of 600 tickets, the Trapper Creek crew handled the job almost without blinking an eye. Steve Studer, Culinary Arts Instructor, led his students through this monumental class project. The menu of brisket, BBQ chicken, potato salad, baked beans and rolls was tasty and professionally served by eight culinary arts students. They were assisted by three players each from the American Legion baseball teams, the Hamilton Red Sox and the Bitterroot Bucs.
Members of the Bitterroot Valley Youth Military Program at the Veterans Day Dinner. Photo courtesy Kay Gibbons.
Tony Hudson allowed the use of several of his large American flags to be displayed on the walls of the Event Center. He also loaned several pieces of restaurant equipment for use by the Job Corps.
The Bitterroot Community Band provided both classic and patriotic music during the program. This is a 100% volunteer group of musicians who play at various community events including the Memorial Day Parade in Corvallis, the Creamery Picnic, the summer music series at Claudia Driscoll Park and a combined Christmas Concert with the Missoula Community Band at the Victor Performing Arts Center.
Patriot Pin Up Montana held a 50/50 raffle and helped with door prizes as well as posing for photos with the guests. This is a 100% volunteer organization of women who fundraise to send care packages to our active duty military members every six months, attend Honor Flight homecomings to welcome home our heroes and volunteer at the SW Montana Veteran’s Food Pantry, among other things. Luscious desserts of cookies and cupcakes were donated by several pop-up bakers/farm stands in the Bitterroot. Donors included Baking Bad Bakery, Cozy Crumb Cookies, GG’s Mixed Delights Bakery, G&M Clucker Barrel Farm Stand, Huckleberry Hut and Nene & Papa’s Cluck Hut, Hope Anderson and Rockin Rose Farm, as well as the Culinary Arts Program Class B at Stevensville High School.
Members of Patriot Pin Up Montana held a raffle, and helped with door prizes and photos with guests. Photo courtesy Kay Gibbons.
Emcees were Doug Mason of American Legion Post 91 in Corvallis and Rachel Lowitt, who is a former Miss Teen Rodeo Montana and is now Marketing Coordinator for the Montana Legacy Project which provides scholarships for women in rodeo among other rodeo/equine projects. They kept things flowing early in the evening, announcing door prize winners and talking about the history and mission of the American Legion. They then introduced the more formal part of the program with the posting and retiring of colors. This ceremony was flawlessly performed by four members of the Color Guard from the Bitterroot Valley Military Program. Once the colors had been posted, the Missing Man POW/MIA solemn ceremony was conducted.
The keynote speaker for the evening, Colonel Ethan E. Sabin, Deputy Commander, 57th Wing Nellis AFB, Nevada was then introduced. He spoke about the importance of the Legion’s continuing presence and involvement in our Bitterroot community, especially regarding our youth and their civics education and participation in the activities of their community.
Honored guests included Marc and Helen Sabin, Ed Sperry, Jeannie Doyle, and Ron Osborn.
The evening concluded with the retrieval of the colors, a closing prayer and the playing of Taps.
Many attendees have expressed hope that this event can become an annual program in the future.
Rob says
Thank you for your kind reply. I’m too busy looking for work and making things I can sell to keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach to do things that cost money to drive to or do. I don’t have the luxury of free time to volunteer or money to donate to a cause.
Rob says
This valley disrespects younger vets. Its been really unpleasant to experience old idiots laughing in my face when k say im a veteran and tue have them go on to say my combat service in the infantry doesn’t count by the old jerks who just like to tell lies.
Helen Sabin says
ROB – Most in this valley do NOT disrespect any vet. We love our military members and honor their service whenever and whereever. I don’t know to whom you have been speaking but he sounds like a man who needs a good talking to if indeed he was a vet. That sounds to me like some jerk being obnoxious. Our vets gave their all for this country and they know what that means – whether young or old.
My husband who is the scholarship chairperson for the post invites you and any other vets -especially young ones – who want to experience the camaraderie of the military life and the band of brothers again, to come to meetings of the American Legion post 91 in Corvallis .
Ask for Marc Sabin so he can introduce you to the other members of the post. Post 91 meetings are held at the Corvallis Firehouse, on Woodside Crossing, at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. You can find additional information on the post on Facebook! Put your dismay aside and show up to the meetings. Get involved and learn what the valley really thinks about Vets.