Montana VA celebrates 100th anniversary at Fort Harrison

FORT HARRISON — In Could 1922, in the course of the aftermath of World Conflict I, a brick constructing at Fort Harrison got here underneath the auspices of the brand new federal Veterans Bureau and have become U.S. Veterans’ Hospital No. 72. That legacy was honored Friday, because the Montana VA Healthcare System celebrated 100 years of serving veterans on the web site.

“It’s simply such a beautiful commemoration, and such a testomony to the veterans we’ve been honored and privileged to serve, in addition to our staff through the years,” mentioned Dr. Judy Hayman, government director of the Montana VA.

Regardless of windy climate and snow showers, the VA estimates nearly 200 individuals had been in attendance for the 100^th-anniversary ceremony. The occasion started with the presentation of colours, adopted by the Capital Excessive College choir singing the nationwide anthem.

Edwin “Sooney” Little Plume, a Blackfeet cultural advisor, delivered a blessing.

“That is memorable – 100 years,” he mentioned. “Possibly in 100 years, they’ll be studying about us.”

VA leaders and all three members of Montana’s congressional delegation had been available, they usually praised the dedication of Montana VA staff.

“This actually is a time to rejoice what the VA has achieved within the state of Montana and what it must do transferring ahead – taking good care of our veterans, the individuals who serve this nation,” mentioned Sen. Jon Tester. “It’s actually necessary, whether or not you’re speaking well being care or housing or schooling or no matter it is perhaps, when the parents signal the dotted line in an all-volunteer navy, we have to step as much as the plate and reside as much as the guarantees. That’s what Fort Harrison is all about.”

“I respect the perseverance, the faithfulness of this establishment to our veterans, and right here’s to a different 100 years,” mentioned Sen. Steve Daines. “As we are going to proceed to have conflicts all over the world, I’m so pleased with the women and men who put on the uniform. We’ve got the very best combating drive on the planet – there’s not even an in depth second place.”

Rep. Matt Rosendale pointed to how Fort Harrison was reworked from an Military put up to a hospital to serve the rising want for veteran well being care.

“Does that sound like Montana?” he requested. “They accommodated the wants for the group, and that’s what we all the time do.”

Hayman introduced a commemorative “problem coin” marking the event to 101-year-old Vern Olson, a World Conflict II veteran who lives in Ennis.

The occasion additionally included a well being truthful, highlighting VA and different packages serving veterans’ wants. After the ceremony, native first responders circled the VA campus in an “emergency providers parade.”

“It was an incredible occasion,” Hayman mentioned. “The assist from the group, and naturally our veterans and our workers – it’s simply heartwarming.”

Jonathon Ambarian

The Fort Harrison facility has made it via a tuberculosis outbreak in 1923 and the 1935 earthquake that broken many buildings round Helena. It has twice outgrown its house and moved into a brand new hospital constructing.

“We discover methods to innovate and adapt, and I believe that’s going to be what we are going to proceed to do sooner or later,” mentioned Hayman. “We’ve realized through the years that there’s all the time a option to accomplish what your objective is, and we are going to simply stay up for proceed to seek out new and higher methods to serve our veterans.”

Whereas the Montana VA celebrated 100 years – based mostly on the primary time the campus was primarily a hospital moderately than an lively navy base – the historical past of serving veterans at this location truly goes again even farther. The unique hospital constructing was previously the Military put up hospital, relationship again to the Eighteen Nineties.

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