Hometown Heroes Unveiling

If you haven't noticed by now, on the evening of July 1, the light poles in Malta have a new look. I'm talking about the "Hometown Hero" banners. We all appreciate Delsi and Eric Witmer for bringing this to our small town. We are very grateful to Steve Cole and Luke Spencer for letting the crew use their bucket trucks to display the banners.

On the 4th of July, there was a special ceremony honoring our most recent fatality to the War in Iraq, LCpl Jeremy Sandvick Monroe, KIA, October 8, 2006, in Al Anbar Province, Haditha Iraq, as well as our fallen from prior wars, which are all displayed above the Veterans Memorial Park.

We are grateful to those in attendance for this special occasion including Chaplain of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron, Rick Mikkelson, for opening the ceremony with a prayer, American Legion Post Commander, Vince Schmoekel, for doing the unveiling, Mellissa Sandvick Gold Star Mother of our fallen Marine, who gave a short speech, and Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron, Charlie Stevens, for playing TAPS. Special guests in attendance included Tara Hofeldt, who graduated with Jeremy and her son, Rhett, as well as a fellow Marine who served with Jeremy, Anthony Pruitt, who joined via facetime from Klamath Falls, Oregon.

There are 30 more light posts just waiting to boast on of Phillips county's Hometown Hero banners. You can contact Delsi Witmer at (406) 344-2794 or pick up a form at the VFW Post #4067 in Malta.