Montana Veterans Memorial Memorial Day Ceremony

Memorial Day Ceremony Activities Announced

By Eric Peterson, Montana Veterans Memorial Association Secretary

 GREAT FALLS, Mont.—Noted book authors Tony and Janet Seahorn will serve as guest speakers for the 19th annual Memorial Day Ceremony scheduled to be held at the Montana Veterans Memorial at 2 p.m. on May 27, 2024. The memorial is located at 1025 25th Street North in Great Falls.

The Seahorns have authored the book, “Tears of a Warrior, a Family’s Story of Combat and Living with PTSD.” The book is a story of courage, valor, and the life-long sacrifice of soldiers who were called to serve their country.

Tony Seahorn is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Vietnam with the Black Lions of the First Infantry Division.

Janet Seahorn serves as an adjunct professor teaching classes on neuroscience and literacy at Regis University in Denver, Colo., and Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Their book has been endorsed by former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, and was selected as the Military Book of the Year in 2014.

Together, the Seahorns now provide education counseling, team building, and run an outdoor adventure business.

To open the ceremony, Montana Veterans Memorial Association President Starnell Darko will welcome guests and participants. Darko is a retired U.S. Army command sergeant major and last served as the sergeant major for the 652nd Regional Support Command (Rear Detachment) located at Fort Harrison, Mont.

Jim “Sarge” Sargent will serve as the master of ceremonies. Sargent is a former Great Falls radio broadcaster and a community volunteer.

Personnel from Malmstrom Air Force Base will return to participate in the annual event held at the memorial. The ceremony invocation will be provided by U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Pitts and members of the Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

This year David Saslav will sing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and youth assigned to local Boy Scout troops will lead the participants in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

Jesse Callender, a member of the Great Falls Pipe Band and a longtime participant with the Memorial Day Ceremony will play the “Bagpipe Salute.”

U.S. Army veteran and Blackfeet Community College Professor Marvin Weatherwax, Sr. will introduce the Blackfeet Veterans Honor Guard that will provide Blackfeet Nation Warrior Honors during the ceremony.

Patriotic music will be provided by the Great Falls Municipal Band. The musicians will perform the “Armed Forces Medley,” consisting of the six military service songs and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan.

Father Glen Gleaves from the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation will provide the benediction.

To conclude the ceremony, Taps will be sounded by trumpet player Rylan Mauer.

Following the Memorial Day Ceremony, members of the Blackfeet Nation will conduct a blessing at the newly placed Agent Orange Monument located at the Montana Veterans Memorial.

The Seahorns are also scheduled to attend a book signing event to be held at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4669 located in the Black Eagle Community Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Memorial Day.

For those unable to attend the event in person, the 19th annual Montana Veterans Memorial Memorial Day Ceremony can be viewed on the Montana Veterans Memorial Facebook page and will be broadcast live on 89.9 FM KGPR Great Falls Public Radio.