Memorial Week/ Day Activities Abound in Helena, East Helena, and Fort HarrisonPress Release

FORT HARRISON/ HELENA, MT, May 19, 2024

Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation will conduct a traditional Memorial Day ceremony at the Lewis & Clark Count Veterans Memorial, located in Memorial Park, Helena at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

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.

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, 3095 Villard Avenue at the same time.

The Guest speaker is Lowell Long, a Montana Veteran, currently serving as the State Commander, Montana Department, The American Legion.   Long served on Active Duty with the United States

Marine Corps Stateside and overseas in Okinawa.  Once discharged from the USMC, Long joined

Montana Army National Guard. During his subsequent service he deployed in 2003-2004 with the Montana 639th Quartermaster Company as a logistician in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Long retired from the Montana Army National Guard in 2006.

Lowell served as a career High School Teacher of Special Education in Harlem Elementary School, Harlem, Montana.  He recently retired from teaching but still serves his community of Chinook and the State of Montana in various volunteer capacities.  He a long-standing member of the American Legion Boys State Committee

Commander Long has served last two years as the State Commander, Montana Department of Montana, The American Legion.  The American Legion. He is responsible for nearly 15,000+ American Legion family members.

*** Other Memorial Day/Week events include:

Posting of Flags in Helena for Memorial Day activities on May 27(observed)and 30 the (traditional).  Posting of flags on veterans’ graves Montana Veterans Division Cemetery at Fort Harrison on Friday May 24 and in local cemeteries on Saturday May 25.  Flags will be picked up on June 3.  Flags provided by American Legion Post 2. This will be followed by a road cleanup on Custer Avenue. Volunteers are invited to meet at Lewis and Clark Post, 3095 Villard, at 9:00-10:00 a.m. for instructions and move to the Forestvale Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10010, East Helena will conduct their annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2024 (the Federally/State Holiday). The Parade begins as VFW Post 10010

3-3-3 Memorial Week Activities Around Helena, East Helena and Fort Harrison and proceeds to JFK Park for a Ceremony.  Upon completion the Parade will return to the Post where a luncheon will be served.

The Traditional Memorial Day Ceremony will be conducted at the Montana Veterans Affairs Division, State of Montana Cemetery located at historic Fort William Henry Harrison at 1:00 p.m., Thursday May 30, 2024.  The guest speaker is BG Renea Dorvall, Assistant

Adjutant General-Army.  BG General Dorvall also serves as the Commander of the Montana Army National Guard.  After 36 years of total service, Colonel Renea Dorvall was promoted to Brigadier General, becoming the first woman soldier in the Montana Army National Guard to have that title and grade.