May 23, 2025–Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation will conduct the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony at the Lewis & Clark Count Veterans Memorial, located in Memorial Park, Helena at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025.
We invite all Gold Star families, area veterans, their families and the Citizens of the City of Helena and Lewis & Clark County to attend this 156th anniversary of Memorial day established in 1868.
This solemn ceremony is to recognize U.S., Montana and Lewis Clark County veterans who paid the ultimate price through their selfless service. The Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial was dedicated on August 15, 1949, by the Citizens of this County, to recognize their sacrifice and further resolve to honor their legacy through taking care of this community tribute to them.
In case of inclement weather, the Ceremony will be moved Lewis and Clark, American Legion Post 2 at the same time.
We will be privileged to hear from Sergeant Major (Ret) Mike Russell, a Vietnam Veteran. SGM Russell comes from an extensive line of Montana Pioneers that settled in this State at Abe Lincoln Gulch, now known as Lincoln, Montana, back in 1863. He joined the US Army right out of high school in March of 1967. Taking basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon graduation, from Basic, Mike was shipped to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for his advanced Individual Training (AIT).
When he joined the Army, his recruiter asked Russell what he wanted to do. His reply as a military photographer associated with Army aviation, therefore he was enlisted into the OV-1 Mohawk Training Program. Graduating second in his class he was transferred to the 1st School Support Company, at Fort Rucker, Alabama and had various duties supporting the training of new Aviation Officers and Enlisted Personnel.
In February of 1968 Russell was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam where he served from February of 1968 to October of 1969. Upon my Date Estimate Return Overseas Service DEROS) from Vietnam, he was then released from the Active Army and served out his commitment of service in the Inactive Ready Reserve.
In June of 1986 he felt needed to get his life in order and joined the US Army Reserves. He was then stationed in various training units and became an instructor and personnel Sergeant with a USAR School Support Company.
In 1990 he was asked to support the Montana Army National Guard in a program known as School House to the Soldier, where he served as the Liaison NCO for this program for a period of 6 months.
At the end of this tour, he was asked if he wanted to join the Montana Army National Guard as an Instructor and Personnel Sergeant, which Mike agreed to willingly as this was the opportunity to return to Montana, the home of his father and ancestors.
Russell remained in the Service and transferred back to the US Army Reserve in February of 1996. He was immediately promoted numerous times and made the enlisted grade of 1st Sergeant and then later as a Sergeant Major. Upon that promotion he returned to his roots at Fort Bliss, Texas and attended the Sergeants Major Academy.
After completion of the academy, he was called to active duty after 9/11 and served as the Personnel G1 Sergeant Major for the 88th Ready Reserve Command, Blue Devils, out of Fort Snelling, MN., where SGM Russell oversaw deploying and processing personnel from the Ready Reserve to tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Upon completion of that duty, he received 2 Meritorious Service Medals and the Legion of Merit. In the year 2005 he returned to Montana and rejoined the Army Reserves where he finished 28 years of duty in November of 2008.
ACTIVITIES: ** Posting flags on veterans’ graves in local cemeteries on Saturday, 24 May. This is being supported by the Americn Legion family, and the members of Scouting America. Flags will be picked up on June 1. Flags provided by Post 2. This will be followed by a road cleanup on Custer Avenue. Community is invited. Meet us at Post 2 at 9:00 a.m.
**Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10010, East Helena, will conduct their annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025 (the observed Federally/State Holiday). The Parade begins at VFW Post 10010 and proceeds at 11:00 a.m.to JFK Park for a Ceremony. Upon completion the Parade will return to the Post where a Luncheon will be served.
**The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be conducted at the Montana Veterans Affairs Division, State of Montana Cemetery located at historic Fort William Henry Harrison at 9:00 a.m., May 26, 2025. The guest speaker is Major General John P. Hronek, II, Adjutant General for the State of Montana.
**A new event will be a Sunrise Memorial Day Service observance at Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Rob Rule hosts this. His number is. 406-410-1712.
Memorial Week/ Day Activities Abound in Helena, East Helena, and Fort Harrison
