Monumental homage: St. Ignatius community adds names to veterans’ memorial
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The Mission Valley Honor Guard and members of the community joined together on Veterans Day to pay homage to area veterans.
New panels listing the names of deceased veterans were added to the veterans’ wall near the St. Ignatius Fire Department. The wall was created six years ago as part of a senior class project, and as more veterans pass away, their names fill the monument.
Brothers Louis and Charles Blood saw their brother George’s name join the name of their father Louis A. Blood who served in the Army during WWII. George had served in the Army during the Vietnam War and passed away three years ago.
An emotional and happy Louis, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, said seeing his brother’s name on the wall was a great feeling.
“It’s very good. I was really surprised,” Charles, an Army veteran of the Cold War, said. “I have two buddies right up there with them.”
The event involved speeches, a three-volley rifle salute and the opportunity for remarks of thanks from the audience.
“Just lean over and say, ‘Thank you,” said J.C. Courville, a veteran of the Air Force and the Montana Air National Guard. “It will mean more than any medal.”
“We take a lot of things for granted,” Stuart Morton said. “We need to say ‘thank you’ more than we ever have. People need to take time to come look at this wall.”
Morton also noted the presence of the Mission Valley Honor Guard’s involvement in this event and others in the community.
“You served your country and you still do,” he told the honor guard members.
