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National Commander visits Pablo war memorial

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It was a day of remembrance, honor and relationship building as American Legion national commander Jimmie Foster traveled to Pablo on May 17 to meet with the Mission Valley Honor Guard and members of the Veteran Warrior Society at the Warrior/Veterans Wall of Remembrance next to CSKT tribal headquarters. Part of Foster’s job during his one-year term is to travel around the country meeting with veterans in order to strengthen the relationship between posts, members, and national headquarters. While on the road, Foster also makes presentations on new and existing programs the American Legion supports, such as baseball leagues.

The overall feel of the event was emotional, yet uplifting, as those who sacrificed so much came together, regardless of military branch.

“It went very well,” commander of Hardwick Post #112 Jack Mitchell said. 

At the beginning of the event, Warrior Society veterans presented their medal of valor to Foster and his staff, who have all served in the military. Tomy Parker, a 21-year-old Ronan veteran who was severely injured during tour of duty in Afghanistan, was also awarded a medal of valor.

Currently on leave from physical therapy in San Diego, Calif., Parker lost his left leg at the hip, his right leg above the knee and all four fingers from his left hand when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated beneath him in Afghanistan last December. Parker’s mother, Lisa Jennison, and step-father, Tim Corbett were at their son’s side.

“You have my utmost respect,” Foster said to Parker. “I have a son in the Army.”

Following the presentation of medals, participants moved outside to view the memorial. The memorial represents an eagle wrapping it’s wings around the monument, with the eagle’s head in the center.

CSKT Communications Director Robert McDonald and Foster entered the memorial first, so that McDonald could explain the creative symbols used by SKC teacher Corky Clairmont, who hand etched the granite slabs. Along the back of the memorial, Clairmont created a realistic etching of the Mission Mountain Range.

According to McDonald, the monument will continue to change over time, as there is room to add approximately 1,000 additional names.

“This is possibly the largest Indian monument in the Western United States,” McDonald said. “Our thank you to veterans is spreading across the nation.”

After spending a short time in Pablo, Foster then traveled to Missoula. 

“You could say I’m a busy guy,” Foster said. “I will spend 344 days of my one-year term on the road.”

 

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