Veterans Day to be celebrated across Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — There are more than 90,000 veterans in the state of Montana, according to the United States Census Bureau. That's approximately 10 percent of the state's population.

On Monday, celebrations across the state will honor those who have served:

Arlee: Arlee Schools will have a 10 a.m. ceremony in Arlee's new gym.

The agenda includes:

- Chuck Lewis, local Marine veteran, will deliver a presentation on patriotism and the flag

- Recognition of veterans present and honor song by local drum group

- Raising of flag in front of elementary building

- Optional lunch with kids in cafeteria

Arlee Schools will also present a traveling exhibit from the Montana Historical Society called Montana's Native Warriors. This is a collection of nine 7-foot-tall banners featuring the contributions Montana's Native American soldiers have made to the Armed Forces.

All community members are invited. Please arrive by 9:50 to ensure a timely start to the event.

Bozeman: There will be a service at the Vietnam Wall at 11 a.m.

Hungry Horse: Senator Dee Brown and local veterans’ organizations to unveil the Veterans’ Memorial in Hungry Horse and dedicate the South Fork Bridge to county veterans Killed in Action. The dedication will take place at 2 p.m. at the turnout located 500’ west of the bridge on the south side of Highway 2.

Frenchtown: Grades 2-12 will be attending a ceremony at the high school at 10 a.m.

Missoula: Veterans for Peace Western Montana Chapter commemorate Armistice Day, 10:45 a.m., Vietnam War Memorial, Rose Park.

Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 27, 11 a.m., World War I Doughboy Statue, Missoula Courthouse lawn.

Hamilton: More than 1,500 students and 200 staff will celebrate at 9:30 a.m. at the Hamilton High School gymnasium.

Bigfork: Swan River School annual Veterans Day assembly, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Swan River School gymnasium. Veterans Day dinner, 5-7 p.m.

Great Falls: The Veterans Day ceremony at the Montana Veterans Memorial will be at 11 a.m.

This special ceremony will include guest speakers, USAF Honor Guard, The Junior Air Force ROTC cadets of Great Falls High School, local choral group, the Great Falls Pipe Band and a special salute to honor the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion with Post 3 of Great Falls and Post 341 of Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Lakeside: The students of Lakeside Elementary School invite you to join them as they honor the men and women in the armed forces who serve our country at 2 p.m.

Veterans are invited to come and allow students and community to express our gratitude to you for your service.

Eureka: Veterans Day Ceremony will be at Pershing Memorial Park (by Montana Market) at 11:00 am. Veterans are invited to please join following the ceremony for a free Spaghetti lunch in the VFW backroom.

Columbia Falls: A Veterans Day Assembly will take place at 10 a.m. at the high school.

Closures:

Missoula:

All City of Missoula offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11th for Veterans Day. The police department, fire Department, Missoula Water and the wastewater treatment plant will provide services.

Still open:

The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) announced six of its driver license offices will be open on Veteran’s Day in an effort to offer additional options for customers to renew or replace Montana driver licenses.

“Our Motor Vehicle Division will open its busiest exam stations for the first time ever on a holiday to help alleviate some of the wait times experienced during normal business hours,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “We hope this additional option will help Montanans make the most of their valuable time when seeking licensing services, which is particularly important now that customer volume has increased in conjunction with REAL ID implementation. Depending on the volume of customers served on Veteran’s Day, MVD may also offer occasional Saturday hours at some of its locations for increased customer convenience,” Fox added.

MVD offices in Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula will be open on Monday, November 11, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Bozeman’s office will be open from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. No appointments are necessary on Veteran’s Day; all walk-in customers will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. The following services will be offered:

Driver license renewal or replacement

State ID cards

Real ID

Driver license transfers from out of state

Services involving testing will not be available.

Montanans may also take advantage of two other convenient options for service on Veteran’s Day:

1)Montana AAA will be open for non-REAL ID driver license renewals/replacements in Billings, Bozeman, Kalispell, and Missoula. Customers are reminded AAA Montana is authorized to charge a convenience fee of $20 on top of non-commercial licensing fees.

2)MVD Express will be open in Billings for driver license services as well as vehicle registrations. Convenience fees apply.

To find the addresses of participating locations, click here. For more information, contact Chris Delvaux, MVD Driver Services Bureau Chief, at (406) 465-8804 or cdelvaux@mt.gov.