MT 43 News Articles View a Published Article

Army National Guard Colonel Chase Ragen Honors County Veterans
Author: mt43news staff reporter

MT43 News Staff Reporter

Army National Guard Colonel Chas Ragen gave the keynote speech at the annual Veterans Day Memorial event on Monday at Memorial Park.

Ragen related how both his grandfather, Chuck, and Chuck’s friend, Logan Davis, served in WWII. Chuck was a tanker in Patton’s Army. Davis served in the Battle of the Bulge at Normandy, France. Davis’s infantry unit was hit, and only he and one other person survived while 26 others in his unit died.

Ragen connected those facts to what he called” generational sacrifice.” Had his grandfather and Davis, both Townsend men, not survived the war, Chase’s dad, Pat, would not have been born in Townsend, and Chase would not be here to give the speech. He would not be able to take his kids fishing in the Elkhorns or to pass on the legacy of honor to the men and women who died fighting for America’s freedom. He ended by encouraging those in attendance to talk to children and young people about what soldiers did, and do, to keep our freedoms: “To allow our history of sacrifice to be forgotten by our next generation would be the greatest dishonor to those who gave it all.”

The service, organized annually by American Legion Post #42, was led by Commander Linda Cousinea. It included a rousing rendition of our National Anthem, Star Spangled Banner, by Johnny Kougioulis, a laying of wreaths on the veterans’ memorial monument, and a 21-gun salute by the American Legion honor guard.

Cousineau introduced Eliza McLaughlin Pizzini, who spoke on behalf of US Senator Steve Daines, who did not attend the ceremony.

Kougioulis read the names of Broadwater County veterans who died in the last year. They were William R. Alley- Air Force; and Gary Matson, Michael Mass and Douglas Roberts- Navy. American Legion Auxiliary President Peggy Long rang the bell for each name recited.

Article Images

Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: A nice-sized crowd attended the Veteran's Memorial Service at Memorial Park Monday. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: American Legion Post #42 Honor Guard gives a 21-gun salute for America's fallen soldiers. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: Army National Guard Colonel Chase Ragen delivers his keynote address at the Veteran's Memorial event Monday. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 4 Caption: Karen Susag and Karon Kougioulis lay wreathes to honor county veterans at Memorial Park. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer