So long, Joe Dog, we'll be seeing you

By Maggie Plummer

As flags were lowered to half mast this week in honor of Joseph "JoeDog" Felsman's passing, it was the reservation community's turn to say those words he always said after the Honor Guard's graveside rifle salutes:

"So long, old friend, we'llbe seeing you."

The 73-year-old former Tribal Chairman and Korean War veteran died Sunday in Missoula after a long battle with cancer.

He was considered the heart and soul of the Mission Valley Honor Guard, serving as the group's chaplain for years.

JoeDog was a familiar sight as he led veterans at local parades, conducted graveside services for veterans, and participated in numerous area events.

Friend and fellow Honor Guard member Leo Tellier describes JoeDog as wonderfully dedicated to the Honor Guard's job of providing military burials.

"He wanted to do his duty, no matter what," Leo said Tuesday afternoon. "He touched the hearts of a lot of people. At times he had people feeling pretty misty at those services."

Sometimes JoeDog would handle veterans' military honors by himself, Leo recalled. "He would take care of all of it. He took care of the rifles, and calling people, all that."

It wasn't always easy duty, Leo pointed out: "We'd do everything on our own. One time in Mission it was really cold, 20 below. Hardly anyone was there, and we had to figure out a way to stay warm. Other times we'd be out there in the rain. Wherever they wanted us, we'd go."

For JoeDog, the military burials always came first - before parades and other fun events.

But he did enjoy the parades. He liked going with the Honor Guard to the parade during Browning's powwow, Leo remembered.

He and his fellow Honor Guard members took care of burials and decorated veterans' graves for Memorial Day, all over the Flathead Reservation and beyond. They went to private cemeteries along the foot of the Mission Mountains, down by the river in Moiese, over at Dog Lake and Camas Prairie, and in Missoula.

"We would drink a toast to the one we had just buried," Leo said. "Those who didn't drink would just have coffee. I've never seen anyone in the Honor Guard who disliked him. JoeDog got along with everyone."

Many remember him fondly as a "regular guy" who never let being Tribal Chairman go to his head.

Born and raised in the St. Ignatius area, JoeDog attended the Ursuline School and Chemawa Indian School. After graduating, he served in the U. S. Navy and as a Corpsman for nearly 12 years. He worked for the Tribes' Environmental Health program, for Kicking Horse Job Corps Center, and for the Indian Health Service.

Joe Dog was elected to Tribal Council for the St. Ignatius District in 1982, and served on the Council until 1992. From 1984 to 1986 he was Tribal Chairman. He also served on the Salish Kootenai Housing Board for 14 years.

Following Wednesday morning's funeral Mass, Joe Dog's Mission Valley Honor Guard buddies helped bury him with military honors at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.

Click here to read the obituary.