Montanans Honor Veterans

LAUREL – Rain didn't stop hundreds of local residents from honoring our country's service men and women Monday.

Local veteran organizations held Memorial Day ceremonies at Mountview Cemetery in Billings and Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery in Laurel. Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects to the fallen.

"My family and I have made this an annual tradition for a long time to come here to Mountview to honor the sacrifice the veterans have made for us," said Robyn Miller. "And even with the weather as it is, we felt that it was something we really feel compelled to do every year. It's important to us."

Veteran groups provided the ceremonial 21-gun salute, and attendees bowed their heads as speakers read the names of the 44 Montanans who have been killed in the War on Terror.

Senator Jon Tester spoke at the Mountview ceremony and asked people to remember not just the fallen, but all veterans.

"As we look at the folks and talk about and remember the folks who have given their lives for this country, we also need to remember those folks who have given part of themselves on the battlefield, whether they are injuries seen or unseen. We need to make sure that since they had our back in the military, we have their back when they get out," Tester said.

Grateful Nation Montana also held the 1st Annual Montana Freedom Run at Swords Park Sunday morning. Proceeds from the race will go toward college tuition for children of service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.