Freedom Day to honor all who have served

POLSON — This year, Memorial Day weekend in Polson promises to be a big, potentially crowded one, since a three-day "Western Montana Freedom Day Celebration" will be held.

On Saturday, May 26, all veterans will be treated to free beverages at Glacier Brewery, free golf at the Polson Golf Course, free bowling at the Sports Page Bowl, discounts at downtown businesses, and a get together at the Polson VFW from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Sunday, May 27, the Polson bridge will be ceremoniously renamed "Armed Forces Memorial Bridge." Signs at either end of the bridge will list the name in English and Salish (south end), and English and Kootenai (north end).

The bridge dedication ceremony will take place at Riverside Park beginning at 3 p.m. The Chief Cliff Singers, led by Allan Kenmille, will sing the flag song, with the Veterans Warrior Society presenting the flags.

Additional Sunday highlights include: a 3:20 p.m. performance by the "Freedom Day Kids" from area schools; 4 p.m. flyovers over the bridge by several military aircraft, including a Vietnam-era Huey helicopter; a sky divers free fall at 5:45 p.m. at Linderman football field; a 7 p.m. Bob-A-Dips concert and, after dark, a fireworks display, both also at the Linderman football field.

On Sunday, free transportation will be provided from the Fairgrounds parking to downtown and tour areas from 10 a.m. to about 10 p.m. Bus stops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be:
    • Fairgrounds parking
    • End of Bridge on 1st. St. West
    • Linderman School
    • Miracle of America Museum
    • Back to Fairgrounds parking

The last tour of the museum will be dropped off at 2 p.m., and that bus will at 2:30 transport people back to the bridge for the dedication. Transportation from the fairgrounds parking to the bridge will continue until about 5 p.m. After that, buses will be available from the bridge to Linderman School, and from the school to Fairgrounds parking until after the fireworks display.

On Monday, May 28, a Memorial Day parade begins at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street and will include entries from the Mission Valley Honor Guard, Veterans Warrior Society, and Kicking Horse Job Corps Center. Approximately 150 parade entries are expected.

At 2:45 p.m. on Memorial Day, the Veterans Warrior Society will have a flag presentation ceremony at the Tribal Complex in Pablo.

Also, at a Memorial Day ceremony at Linderman Gym, which begins at 4 p.m., the Post Creek Singers - led by Simon Paul - will sing the flag song with the Veterans Warrior Society presenting the flags.

During Monday's parade, an F-16 jet will fly over the Main Street parade route, organizers say. Governor Brian Schweitzer will participate in the parade, as will Congressman Denny Rehberg.

Monday's bus transportation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will run from Fairgrounds parking to the bridge to Linderman School, and back to Fairgrounds parking. From 4 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m. the buses will run from Fairgrounds parking to Linderman School and back to Fairgrounds parking.