Billings Veterans Memorial Dedicated on Veterans Day

Hundreds upon hundreds came on Veterans Day to witness the dedication and ribbon cutting on a memorial to 49 Montana Veterans who fell in Afghanistan and Iraq.  You can see this memorial on the Dehler Park block, just beyond the outfield fence.  The ceremony included everything, even a youth choir from Lockwood and a color guard with rifles.

This monument has been the full-time project of Rick Baker of Hoodies for Heroes.  Before the crowd, he thanked his family and Mom for their support, and to the Texas Roadhouse for supporting this quest.  Groundbreaking happened in May and with the assistance of engineering and construction professionals the main structure is standing tall.

A lone solemn bell rung in the Billings fall air, to commemorate Armistice Day and the end of World War I.  Our Congressional delegation was busy after the election, so letters from them were read.

Founder Baker and Chairman Ken Callahan praised the dozens of businesses and residents who donated materials, money, expertise and labor into this monument.  And many of them approached Baker and Callahan themselves to help out.

Come time to actually cut the ribbon, around 40 dignitaries from all aspects of the project crowded up on stage.  After a closing prayer, a reading of all 49 names, three shots from the color guard and Taps, the ribbon was cut.

Lots of honor and ceremony in an hour and fifteen minutes.

Memorial Still Incomplete

All hands ensured the main structure with the names of servicemen would be standing in time for Veterans Day.  The next steps are the finishing touches with the lights and the interactive map to inform visitors about these brave souls.  And funding will be needed to cover the cost, $79,000.  If you find this memorial a worthwhile endeavor, please consider a donation at this link for Hoodies for Heroes.

Target date to have the memorial fully complete is Memorial Day 2025.

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