CORVALLIS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

 

 

The Corvallis American Legion Post #91 and Auxiliary Unit #91 present

The 101^st Annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 31, 2021 starting at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street, Corvallis, Montana

 

Corvallis, MT - Corvallis American Legion Post #91 and Auxiliary Unit #91 will host the 101^st annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 31, 2021. This year the parade theme is “Let Freedom Ring.” The Parade Grand Marshall is Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Retired and Post #91 member Frank Mason.

            Frank was born in Hardin, Montana in 1946. His family moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1953. He graduated from Corvallis High School in 1965, and from Montana State University in 1969. Between his small herd of cattle and working as a ranch hand in the Bozeman area Frank put himself through college.

            In 1970 Frank entered the Air Force to become a pilot. He served in Vietnam from May 1972 to April 1973. Frank flew HH-53 Jolly Green helicopters in combat missions rescuing pilots who were shot down in Laos and North Vietnam. For his actions he was awarded 1 Silver Star, 2 Flying Crosses, and 3 Air Medals. After Vietnam he continued to work in the Air Force Pararescue mostly in Alaska. He received his master’s degree in 1985 in Human Relations.

            After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, Frank went back to being a cowboy. For over 20 years, Connie (Frank’s wife), and he worked for the Martinell Ranch in Dell, Montana. Living in boxcars with no running water suited this couple just fine. Except for his time in the Air Force Frank has always been a cowboy and in 2015 he was inducted in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.

            Frank has served in the Corvallis American Legion Post #91 for 23 years. He has been the 1^st Vice Commander and the Finance Officer. He is a faithful member of the Honor Guard and when needed in charge of the Caparisoned Horse. For many years he has overseen marshaling the Corvallis Memorial Day parade but this year we honor his service to community, state, and nation. Please join us for the parade this year.

            After the parade, at the Corvallis Cemetery at 12:00 pm Post #91 will conduct its annual memorial ceremony. Post members will name all the veterans buried at the cemetery dating back to the Mexican War (1848). After the cemetery ceremony, post members will move to the Woodside Cutoff Bridge and place a wreath in the Bitterroot River for all those who died at sea. The public is invited.

            For 101 years the Bitterroot Valley has enjoyed this rich tradition of honoring those active-duty personnel and veterans who have died. We honor all the United States of America’s war dead -- those who died that freedom might live. 2021 also marks Corvallis’ 150^th birthday.

            World War I veterans started the Corvallis Memorial Day parade after they returned from Europe. The first parade consisted of a color guard and veterans, staging in the alley to the west of Main Street. 101 years ago, the first annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade started south down a dirt Main Street.

            Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. The holiday was first proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan and was observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Until World War I many people in the South refused to acknowledge Decoration Day. Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.

We encourage you to register online at http://corvallispost91.blogspot.com/ , however you can register the day of the parade at the corner of 2^nd and Market Street in Corvallis. Look for the parade registration signs.

For more information call Chris Kurinec at 802-4532, or email corvallispost91@gmail.com. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/corvallispost91.