Michelle McConnaha
The Montana A Capella Society singing “The Star Spangled
Banner” launched the 2018 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade.
Michelle McConnaha
The 98th Annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade drew a record
crowd of 4,600 spectators on the sunny but not too hot Monday. The crowd came
to pay tribute to veterans and those in current military service.
The parade with a theme of “Still Serving After 80 Years,”
hosted by the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and the Ladies Auxiliary, was
also the longest.
Parade organizer John Mowat said the parade lasted one hour
and four minutes.
The firing of the cannon and the Montana A Capella Society
singing “The Star Spangled Banner” launched the event.
Ravalli County Sherriff Steve Holten led the parade followed
by military color guards and units: Corvallis American Legion Post 91, Hamilton
American Legion Post 47, the Marine Corps League and Stevensville’s Fort Owen
American Legion Post #94.
Doug McConnaha
Michelle McConnaha
The parade's grand marshals, local World War II veterans Ken
Gardner, Bill Sperry, Carl Swanson and John Gurtner, rode in WWII jeeps.
Doug McConnaha
“It was so great to see the World War II guys in the old
vehicles,” said Doug Mason, parade organizer. “A lot of us veterans will never
forget it. It was great to pay tribute to their service.”
Miss Montana Maddie Murray rode with Swanson.
Doug McConnaha
“Being born and raised in Corvallis, I have attended this
parade every year with my family,” Murray said. “It was an honor to be a part
of the 98th Corvallis Memorial Day parade, to ride with Carol Swanson and to
recognize and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
My year as Miss Montana is coming to a close, but I couldn’t have imagined a
more special way to end it.”
The Corvallis Blue Devil High School band had 46 members and
27 flag carriers caring red, white and blue flags. The band, playing under the
direction of retiring music educator Nancy Brown, stopped to play American
Military March honoring all branches of service in the United States.
Michelle McConnaha
Parade moderator Steve Ellis had the parade wait while he
honored Brown and acknowledge her 37 years in music education and 16 years at
Corvallis.
“When you started the marching band years ago you just had
about eight players and you have grown it to be this large band with a powerful
sound – thank you,” Ellis said.
Fire Fighter of the Year Bruce Gaul and Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year drove military Humvees brought to the parade by the Army
Reserve and recruiters.
Entries included the Corvallis Class A State Champions in
Track with their trophies, local businesses, nonprofits, the Bitterroot
Rodders’ cars and trucks, vintage tractors, Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles,
horses, political candidates and rescue vehicles.
Michelle McConnaha
The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 judged the entries and
gave three awards. Heidi Strain and the Zion Stage Line was Grand Champion, The
Bitterroot Mountettes were the Reserve Grand Champion and The Legion Patriot
Riders were selected for the Patriotic Award.
Doug McConnaha
Immediately following the parade, the Corvallis Blue Devil
High School band gave a concert while the Corvallis Performing Arts Booster
Club hosted a barbecue. Despite the full Bitterroot River, the Corvallis
American Legion presented formal memorial ceremonies at the Woodside Bridge for
all who perished at sea and at the Corvallis Cemetery honoring all military
personnel buried in the cemetery since the Mexican War.
