Friday is Veterans Day, and there will be activities throughout the Missoula area for veterans and their families.

Brian Becker, Outreach Program Specialist at the Missoula Vets Center said the day will start with breakfast at the American Legion Hall,

"The American Legion Hall at 725 Ronan Street will be serving a free breakfast, open to the public from 7 to 11 a.m. and they the Ole Beck Veteran Post 209 at 245 West Main Street will also have breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., and that will be donation only," Becker said. "The big ceremony for the day will be at 11 am at the Dough Boy Statue on the lawn in front of the Missoula County Courthouse, sponsored by Forgotten Warriors Post 101."

Forgotten Warriors Post 101 Commander Dan Gallagher's family will be handling the ceremony at the courthouse on Friday, where the theme will focus on women who have served in the Armed Forces.

"The theme this year is 'Women are Veterans, too,', Gallagher said. "The emphasis this year is on female veterans, especially in light of this war in Afghanistan and Iraq, there have been a higher number of female casualties. In recent months, women have been authorized for combat duty, so this year we're going to acknowledge that."

Gallagher said this year's main speaker is traveling to Missoula from Helena.

"Our main speaker this year is Lt. Governor Mike Cooney," he said. "Along with that, Standing Master Brenda Desmond will be honored for her work with the Veterans Court. Not only has it had a beneficial effect, but the thought behind it is a real boost to the veterans community, and that the justice system recognizes the issues that face veterans."

 

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