The American Legion and Auxiliary Post 91 hosted the Memorial Day celebrations in Corvallis on Monday to pay tribute to those who gave their all.
The large crowd, 10-15 people deep on both sides of Main Street, started selecting their seats about 8 a.m. for the parade that began two-hours later. They cheered for the many veterans who marched as color guards or rode on floats, in classic cars and on motorcycles (Patriot Guard Riders).
Ravalli County Sherriff Steve Holton led the parade that lasted an hour and a half.
Memorial Day Parade grand marshal was Hamilton resident Ralph Keppel. He served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1950–1954 and has been a member of the American Legion for 59 years
His enduring commitment to service made him the perfect choice for the theme selected by the Ladies Auxiliary, “The American Legion’s 100th Birthday.”
Keppel said he enjoyed riding in a classic Army jeep and that being grand marshall was a “beautiful experience.”
“I had so many tears in my eyes I could hardly see,” he said after the parade. “It is an overwhelming experience to do something like this. I have been in this parade for many years. I’ve marched, ridden and been down this road a long, long time.”
He said the crowd was exceptional.
“The people eat these veterans up,” he said. “You can’t do this with a dry eye, everyone loves us — the children waving, the mothers and fathers waving — it is totally overwhelming. It makes me feel so proud to be an American.”
Keppel said living in Montana all his life has been a blessing.
“I thank my lucky stars to have lived here and raised my family here,” he said. “I feel like we have a protective bubble over the top of us, compared to the rest of the world. Go, Montana, go!”
This year the parade announcer was Steve Fullerton of KLYQ. The weather was cooler and cloudy but no rain.
The parade started with a cannon fire at the south end of Main Street. Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton led the parade that lasted an hour and a half. The parade had over 85 entries including veterans, children, floats, music, clubs, horses, athletes, emergency vehicles, classic cars, business vehicles, two groups of political supporters and county attorney Bill Fulbright cleaning up after the horses.
Ravalli County Patrol Sergeant Jered Guisinger rode in the parade as the American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Montana.
Always a crowd favorite is the Blue Devil Marching Band, that this year had Corvallis High School Homecoming King Galen Hughes as drum major and leader.
The parade entries are judged before the parade each year and Grand Champion was Stony Brook Farm Equestrian Center, Reserve Grand Champion was Larry Bays’ 1937 GMC and Most Patriotic was the Patriot Guard Riders of Montana.
Uncle Sam, aka Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf made an appearance. Darby Rodeo Royalty Queen Cassie Turner, Miss Addison Jessup and Miss Johnali Johns we exceptional riders.
The Corvallis High School jazz band performed after the parade and the Corvallis Performing Arts Booster Club hosted a barbeque.
After the parade, Post 91 conducted its annual memorial ceremony at noon at the Corvallis Cemetery with a bagpiper and 21-gun salute then went to Woodside Cutoff Bridge for a special tribute honoring those who died at sea.
