H
H H H
H
2023
SALUTE
H H H
H
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STAFF SERGEANT
BM3
DON ALBERTSON
TRAVIS W. ATKINS
U.S. ARMY 1941-1945 66th Infantry Division “Black Panthers”
U.S. ARMY 2000-2003 2006-2007 10th Mountain Division
JILL MAZURANICH BACA
SERGEANT
MEDALS OR HONORS: Rifle Expert, Bronze Battle Star, World War II Victory Medal
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
LORETTA (GARCIA) BENDZ
U.S. NAVY NURSE- 3YRS. U.S. ARMY NURSE-18.5 YRS
1975-2014 Assistant Chief Nurse, 328th General Hospital (A.G.R.) Salt Lake City, UT MEDALS OR HONORS: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal x 3
YOEMAN 3RD CLASS
KATHY HAMPTON BRAUN U.S. NAVY 1967-1970 Vietnam Era
MEDALS OR HONORS: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Man Badge, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Air Assault Badge, Legion of Valor, Good Conduct Medal (2)
1ST CLASS PETTY OFFICER
EMMETT BIRRER NAVY WWII 1943 - 1946
MEDALS OR HONORS: Plane radar Identification Specialist - Honorable Discharge April 1946
LT. COL.
CHARLES O. BROUGHTON U.S. MARINE CORPS August 12, 1952 June 26, 1989
U.S. NAVY 1984-1988
MEDALS OR HONORS: On Board the USS Mckee- A5-41 Reserves 1990-1993
SPEC 4
GEORGE BIRTIC U.S. ARMY 3/1969-3/1971
MEDALS OR HONORS: Expert Rifleman Badge
TECH SERGEANT
TAW MASON BROWNING U.S. AIR FORCE 2010 Currently Serving
MEDALS OR HONORS: Bronze Star Medal w/ “V”, Navy Commendation Medal w/ “V”, 2 Purple Hearts with Gold Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallentry with Palm & Gold Star, Graduate U.S. Army Command & General Staff College
E-4
RODNEY CARL BRUNNER U.S. ARMY 7/16/69 - 3/23/71
MEDALS OR HONORS: Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/V Dovice, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Nation Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantrymans Badge
COLONEL
GEORGE H. CARLTON U.S. AIR FORCE 1941-1963
MEDALS OR HONORS: 3000 flights hours including the “HUMP” in 1944-45, Cuba Missile Crisis
CORPORAL
SAMUEL COOPER Nov. 1951Sept. 1954 European Occupancy/ Korean War
CPT
CLINTON CARLTON MT NATIONAL GUARD 1999- Present Currently deployed in Kuwait MEDALS OR HONORS: MT Army National Guard Bosnia, Operation Iraq Freedom
COLONEL
DUANE C. CARLTON U.S. ARMY AVIATION 1973-2007
MEDALS OR HONORS: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation, Master Parachutist Badge, Master Aviation Wings
SP4 E4 (T)
AUDIE BERT COLLINS U.S. ARMY 10-5-61 thru 10-2-64
HOMER COOPER PFC ARMY 1918-1919 Served in France during WW1
MEDALS OR HONORS: Expert (M-1 Rifle)
Land of the Free, THANKS to the BRAVE
To all of our nation’s troops and veterans,thank you for your service! YOUR COURAGE, COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICE FILL US WITH ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE.
2 | VETERANS DAY SALUTE • 2023
Veterans carry with them a legacy of love. Love for their nation. SERGEANT
J.T. “JAKE” CUMMINS, JR. U.S. MARINES 1964-1989
PHILLIP N. DAVIS SR.
TECH SGT.
ROBERT J. DAVIS U.S. ARMY 1941-1945
U.S. NAVY 1954-1958 Machinist Mate, 2nd Class Deep Sea Diver
MEDALS OR HONORS: DMSM, MSM (2), NAM, GAR, VSM, VCR, NDM
MEDALS OR HONORS: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, ETO Victory, Army Sharpshooter, Good Conduct CAPTAIN
MICHAEL J. DAVISON
MARY KATHERINE DEMPSEYNOREIKA
USN, MTANG, USAFR April 1986 - Dec. 2002
January 3, 1967 to June 13, 1969
MEDALS OR HONORS: Distinguished Naval Graduate, Commodore Aviator’s List, Naval Aviator, Landing Signal Officer
MEDALS OR HONORS: She was on active duty for nearly twoand-one-half years (881 days) and in the Vietnam War zone for 364. Mary K was assigned as an intensive care nurse to the 312th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai. There she nursed soldiers and Vietnamese who’d been burned by napalm, infected from booby-trapped stakes, and torn apart by bullets. Mary K nursed Vietnamese mothers, newborn babies and children. She allowed their fathers to sleep at night under the hospital beds.
MAJOR
COLONEL
JAMES E. DIERCKS U.S. ARMY 6-12-1968 thru 9-10-1994
U.S. ARMY NURSE CORPS
MEDALS OR HONORS: Army Commendation Medal (3). Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star (2), Army Reserve Achievement Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal.
SERGEANT
CHARLES DOKKEN U.S. NAVY Feb 1, 2022 Present Sonar Technician Submarines, E3
CALVIN DUNBAR
WARRANT OFFICER
U.S. MARINE CORPS 1943-1946
MICHAEL EKEGREN
Japanese Language Interpreter at Pacific Island Command, Guam. In 1988, Cal returned a 400-yearold Family Sword to the Japanese military doctor it was confiscated from over 40 years before.
U.S. ARMY 1999-Current
TECHNICAL SERGEANT
STEPHEN FARNUM
U.S. AIRFORCE Aug. 31, 1972 to Aug. 30, 1976; and Jan. 2nd 1983 to Dec. 31, 1998
Compassionate, Authentic Care for All
MEDALS OR HONORS: Honor Grad Airforce Combat, Control Class 75-3 Defense Merit Service medal, AF Comm medal with 2 OLC Joint Service Achievement medal with 2 OLC, AF Member all AF Shooting Team (pistol) 1987 - 1990.
CPL COMBAT ENGINEERS, MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD, AST, MECHANIC SHOP CHIEF, BOZEMAN ARMORY - BELGRADE
VIRGIL H. FEHRER
Thank you to all of the brave men and women who have served our nation. On this day we honor their service and remember their sacrifice.s
U.S. ARMY 1951-1953 Korea 2 years 300 Highland Blvd Bozeman, MT 59715 | 406-586-5298 | www.dahlcares.com
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MEDALS OR HONORS: 32 ½ years, President (Korea) Syngman Rhee Unit, Citation, Several. more citations.
2023 • HONORING OUR VETERANS | 3
CPI E4
STEVEN K. FISHER U.S. MARINE CORPS 1965 - 1968
MEDALS OR HONORS: Vietnam 2 tours.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL
KAREN H. GIBSON U.S. ARMY January 1987 March 2020
MEDALS OR HONORS: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service, with Combat Device, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
RAYMOND L. GALLAGHER U.S. ARMY INFANTRY 1967- KIA 1968 Vietnam
2004-2010 Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005, 2007
MEDALS OR HONORS: Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Combat Action Ribbon
RICHARD GALLI U.S. ARMY AIRBORNE 1980-2006 Iraq 2004-2005
MEDALS OR HONORS: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service and Campaign Ribbons
SERGEANT
EDWIN GIESCHEN U.S. MARINES 1940-1945
MEDALS OR HONORS: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Valor “V”, Rifle Expert Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian
CAPTAIN
SEAN GUMMER
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
ARDEN J. HAGY U.S. ARMY 98 AIRBORNE SQUADRON Feb. 1943 - Dec. 1945
MEDALS OR HONORS: Atlantic Pacific Theater Service Ribbon
RYAN GUMMER
2007-2011 Operation Enduring Freedom 2008,2011 MEDALS OR HONORS: National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service with a Star, Afghan campaign with 2 stars, Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal with combat “V” for valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Nato-isaf medal, Navy commendation medal with combat “V” for valor, Purple Heart
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
ERWIN H. HALVORSON (BUSTER) U.S. ARMY AIRCORE 1941-1967
MEDALS OR HONORS: 644 Combat Missions. Pilot in B17 Flying Fortress WWII and B52’s for SAC his remaining time in service. Awarded DFC twice and many more medals
“Veterans are a symbol of what makes our nation great, and we must never forget all they have done to ensure our FREEDOM.”
- Rodney Frekinghuysen
On this Veterans Day, Bozeman Health extends our thanks to all who have served.
4 | VETERANS DAY SALUTE • 2023
To all the VETERANS out there, we salute you! THANK YOU for your service and sacrifice! CPL E.
SERGEANT
MARK A. HAMPTON U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS 1941-1944 WWII
MEDALS OR HONORS: Gunner Military Police Flight Instructor
LT. COL.
KELLY K. HASTINGS U.S. MARINES (RET) 1994-2019
Computer, Communications and Information Operations Officer, serving with the First Marine Aircraft Wing, the 2nd Force Service Support Group; the 1st Marine Regiment; the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment; the Afghanistan Joint & Combined Staff; the 1st Marine Division; and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
COL.
CHRIS HASTINGS
ERIC E. HASTINGS
U.S. MARINES (RET) 1987-2019
U.S. MARINES (RET) 1960-1994
Infantry Officer serving with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; Commanded Recruiting Station Los Angeles; Commanded 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment; Commanded the Recruiter School; Commanded the 12th Marine District; and served in the Joint/Combined U.S. African Command
Naval Aviator flying F-8 Crusaders and A-4 Skyhawks; Commanded Marine Reserves, Memphis TN; Commanded VMA-214 Blacksheep; Commanded Marine Air Group 90; Commanded 39th Marine ExpeditionaryUnit; C/S, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade; C/S 1st Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Forces Command
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
E4
DAVID L. KUHN
DAN HEIMBIGNER
U.S. ARMY 82ND AIRBOURNE
U.S. ARMY VN 1970-1971 MTANG 1972-2009
MEDALS OR HONORS: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Medical Badgednejofh
1989-1993
MEDALS OR HONORS: Panama Invasion, 5 W Asia Medals, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantry Badge
SERGEANT
LANCE CORPORAL
FLOYD J. KUHN U.S. MARINES 1957-1960
MEDALS OR HONORS: National Defense Badge, Marksman Badge
SP4
DAN LOURIE U.S. ARMY Dec. 1960Dec. 1964
KOHLBY LAY LANGEL U.S. ARMY 2003-2007 10th MTN DIV Reconnaissance Scout, Operation Iraqi Freedom
MEDALS OR HONORS: Purple Heart, April 2005
LT. COL.
MARIAH MCCALLUM U.S. ARMY 2005 to present
MEDALS OR HONORS: 1 X Bronze Star, 5 X Meritorious Service Medals, 1 X Army Achievement Medal, 1 X Combat Action Badge, ! X Parachutist Badge
MM2
JOHN R. METCALF U.S. NAVY 1951-1959
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER (0-4)
GREGORY S. NOVOTNY U.S. COAST GUARD 9-15-77 to 3-1-84
MEDALS OR HONORS: Navy and Coast Guard Flight Instructor. Search and Rescue Pilot. Retired Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines Captain
Honoring
SERGEANT
GARY LEWIS U.S. ARMY 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION January 1953 to July 1957
MEDALS OR HONORS: Paratroopers
E-4
HOPE PAIGE MCFARLAND U.S. AIR FORCE April 9th 2004 November 21st 2008
MEDALS OR HONORS: AF Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism, SeV Medal, AF Longevity Sev Ribbon, Airman of the year
1ST LIETENANT, B-17 AIRCRAFT COMMANDER
RUSSELL A. NOVOTNY U.S. ARMY AIR CORP 3-1-43 to 9-30-45
MEDALS OR HONORS: Distinguished Flying Cross Air Megal with 3 oak clusters, European Campaign medal and WWII Victory medal
From Your friends at
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS!
And a special thanks to our very own, U.S. Navy Veteran, Saul Abel.
Bozeman Brokers Real Estate | 406-587-5900 | www.bozemanbrokers.com
2023 • HONORING OUR VETERANS | 5
SERGEANT E-5
TONY NOVOTNY U.S. ARMY Feb. 1966 - Feb. 1969
MEDALS OR HONORS: Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal
JIMMY WAYNE PICKET U.S. ARMY VIETNAM 1967-1969
MEDALS OR HONORS: Combat Infantry Badge. 3 Purple Hearts. 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Army Commendation Medals.
SPECIALIST
CHARLES RUST U.S. ARMY 1954-1955
MEDALS OR HONORS: Korean War Medal, Good Conduct Medal
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
SERGEANT E5
ERIC PEDERSON
IRV PAGE
U.S. AIR FORCE 1990-1993; 2001- 2020
U.S. ARMY 1967- 1971 1968-1969 Vietnam
MEDALS OR HONORS: Meritorious Service Medal(3), Air Medal(4), Air Force Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal(2), Meritorious Unit(2), Outstanding Unit(2), Combat Readiness Medal(6), National Defense Service Medal(2)
MEDALS OR HONORS: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, 2 Overseas Medals
PFC
SERGEANT
TOM ROBINSON
HOWARD N. ROBERTS
U.S. ARMY Oct. 1944- July 1947
U.S. ARMY BATTERY A 2ND FIELD ARTILLERY BSN BATTALION Jan. 1943- Dec. 1945 MEDALS OR HONORS: American Theater of Operations Ribbons 2 Overseas Service Ribbons
MEDALS OR HONORS: Sharp Shooter
CPL
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
U.S. ARMY BATTERY “C” 459TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLARY BATALILON 1942 - 1945
U.S. SPACE FORCE 2002-2006 Air Force Academy Gradute to current
MICHAELA (GARCIA) SCHANNEP
JOSEPH DANIEL SALVIA
MEDALS OR HONORS: Squadron Commander, National Reconnaissance Office Operations Squadron, Schreiver Space Base, Colorado Springs-Colorado, Meritorious Service Medal x3
MEDALS OR HONORS: Instrument Operator, Marksman Rifle, Normandy, N. France, D’Day, Good Conduct Medal, Eur. Afr. Mid East T Camp Ribbon w/4 Serv. Sars
“In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country, can change it.” - Barack Obama H H
Left to right: Sarah Dittner, FPQP®, Supervisory Branch Office Operations Manager, Registered Client Associate; Jim Webster, CWS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager; Brian Brown, CFP®, CPFA, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Branch Manager; Amy Carter, Client Associate; Alex Dabney, CFP®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Cresta Sundling-Pahut, Client Associate.
Thank you to our team member Jim Webster for his years of service in the U.S. Navy.
1101 E. Main St., Suite 301 | Bozeman, MT | (406) 587-5461 | (800) 233-4359 | bozemanwealth.com
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Thank you to all of the brave men and women who have served our country and made sacrifices for our freedom.
WE SALUTE YOU! Chris & Monica Remely and the Staff at Dokken-Nelson
“There is a Difference” 406.587.3184 • www.dokkennelson.com 113 South Willson Avenue in Bozeman Leo Harmon
Barry Remely
Monica Remely’s Father
Chris Remely’s Father
Army
Air Force
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6 | VETERANS DAY SALUTE • 2023
VETERANS DAY - Saturday, November 11, 2023
T
he month of November is a special time for the nation’s veterans. While Memorial Day honors fallen soldiers and service people, Veteran’s Day, which takes place each November, is an opportunity to commemorate the efforts of all who have been in the armed forces, with a special emphasis on living veterans. While people are encouraged to thank veterans throughout the year, Veteran’s Day is a particularly poignant time to show your appreciation for the men and women of the military. Veteran’s Day takes place on November 11 and marks an important moment in history. On November 11, 1918, World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” unofficially ended when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, took place between Germany and the Allied nations on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. World War I ended on paper when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Armistice Day became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. However,
after subsequent wars, including World War II and the Korean War, veterans’ service organizations lobbied for Armistice Day to be revised so it would be more inclusive of all veterans. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to strike the word “Armistice” from the holiday’s name in favor of “Veterans.” Since then, November 11 has been known as “Veterans Day” and has honored veterans of all wars. Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday in October for roughly seven years under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating certain national holidays on Mondays. But since
SP/5
JERRY SILVEY U.S. ARMY 1967-1969, Vietnam 68-69
MEDALS OR HONORS: Commendation Medal, Air Medal (8), Good Conduct Medal, Air Crew Wings, Presidential Unit Citation (2) Vietnam Service Medal
November 11 bore such significance, many states disapproved and continued to observe the holiday on November 11. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed legislation to return the observation of Veterans Day to November 11 beginning in 1978. Should the day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively, according to History.com. The United States isn’t the only country to celebrate its veterans. Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and France also commemorate the veterans of World War I and II on or near November 11 as Remembrance Day or Remembrance Sunday. LT. COL.
WILLIAM BRUCE TAYLOR U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE Dec 1965 - August 1993
MEDALS OR HONORS: Meritorious Service, Joint Service, Commendation Medal, AF Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf plus 9 more medals
SERGEANT
MM 2ND CLASS E5
PVT 1ST CLASS
HARRY VOULKOS
ROBERT EDWARD VAIL
U.S. ARMY INFANTRY; COMBAT WW1 to about 1918, Germany Volunteered, resident from Bozeman, MT
U.S. NAVY Oct. 10, 1967 Oct. 11, 1971
JOHN HARRY VOULKOS U.S. ARMY, INFANTRY, COMBAT 1943 - 1945
MEDALS OR HONORS: European-African-Middle Easter Campaign Medal, Good conduct medal, WW2 Victory Medal
Surprisingly great rates that fit any budget. Dan Rust, Agent 1805 West Dickerson Bldg 2 Ste 1 Bozeman, MT 59715 Bus: 406-587-8287 dan.rust.b60w@statefarm.com
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company State Farm Fire and Casualty Company State Farm General Insurance Company Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company Winter Haven, FL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas State Farm Lloyds Richardson, TX 2101550
I can help you bundle your home and auto insurance, at a rate that may surprise you. Call me for a quote today. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums and budgets will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Availability and amount of discounts and savings vary by state.
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2023 • HONORING OUR VETERANS | 7
For the Veteran, THANK YOU for bravely doing what your called to do so we can safely do what we’re free to do. SEAMAN FIRST CLASS
MANNY EMANUEL HARRY VOULKOS U.S. NAVY, ASIATIC PACIFIC THEATER July 43 - Nov. 47 MEDALS OR HONORS: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific campaign, good conduct medal, WW2 Victory Medal, Phillipine Liberation Ribbon, EuropeanAfrican-Middle Eastern Medal
INFANTRY, COMBAT, E4, SPECIALIST
“DURK” DURYEA VOULKOS U.S. ARMY 1970 - 1972
MEDALS OR HONORS: Combat Infantrymans Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, NDSM, RYNCM with 60 DVC, Oversease Bar, SP5 M-16, Air Medal
RADIOMAN FIRST CLASS
DWIGHT WINCHESTER U.S. NAVY 1944-1946
MEDALS OR HONORS: Asiatic Pacific Campaign
PETER HARRY VOULKOS
NURSING CADETS - BOZEMAN MT
MARY H. VOULKOS
U.S. ARMY AIR CORP 1943 - 1946 Asiatic - Pacific campaign, SAIPAN, Bozeman native
19?? - 1945 1945 Memorial Day Parade. Holding “48 stars” American Flag
LIEUTENANT SUPPLY CORPS, USN
LT COLONEL (RETIRED)
JIM WEBSTER
LARRY WILCOX
U.S. NAVY June 1980- July 1986
U.S. ARMY May 5, 1967 to May 31st 1992
MEDALS OR HONORS: Navy Achievement Medal, Gold Star in lieu of second award; Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer- qualified to stand Bridge Watches aboard USS John Hancock, DD-981
MEDALS OR HONORS: Served in Vietnam & S. Korea
CARPENTERS MATE FIRST CLASS USNR
COLONEL D
DR. KENNETH ZAHN
WILLIAM E. WOOD
U.S. ARMY May, 1959 - Aug., 1985
U.S. NAVY Jan. 10, 1942 to Sept. 22, 1945
MEDALS OR HONORS: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1OLC); Graduate, US Army War College
MEDALS OR HONORS: Honorable Discharge
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
THIS VETER ANS DAY
Veterans eat for free AT THESE BOZEMAN BLUE COLLAR RESTAUR ANTS
Also at the Jackson Hole Restaurants.
Dine in only.
Merry Piglets Coming to Bozeman this spring.
Show a photo of this ad to redeem. And text the photo to your veteran friends so they come also.
Excludes alcohol.
8 | VETERANS DAY SALUTE • 2023
Military Service to Educational Success Sentinels of Freedom Celebrates Five Years of Tutoring Support for Veterans at Montana State University at Bozeman’s Student Veteran Center “Before returning to college after my military service, I wasn’t sure if I had the aptitude or the ability to succeed in school. I utilized the Veteran Upward Bound program at Great Falls Community College (MSU), which immensely helped me refresh my knowledge of entry-level academics- particularly mathematics. This short summer course brought back enough of what I had learned before the military to be able to pass the entrance exams and be placed in a math course that would be both challenging but also consistent with my knowledge base – without having to take multiple extra courses covering concepts I already knew, just hadn’t practiced in years. It also gave me the confidence to enroll in classes full-time and commit to a change in career through higher education. Once I began taking classes at Montana State University in Bozeman, I was able to get the help I needed for more advanced classes through both the Veteran Center and the MSC (Math and Stat Center). Having the Veteran Center able to provide one-on-one tutoring hours really helped me understand the processes when I needed a little more extra attention than the MSC could provide. Additionally, it is really encouraging to be helped by other veterans; it allows an opportunity to relate to someone on a level that is difficult to find with other students or instructors in the college setting. All of these programs combined have helped tremendously in my academic ventures; both in reducing the number of classes I had to take, the amount of repeat information I had to learn, and most importantly- they helped me understand and retain the concepts I was being taught.” Mechele Fonck, Veteran Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design, Master of Arts in Architecture, Montana State University
“Many of our returning veterans who are entering college have delayed their higher education by serving in our military. Through qualified studies and surveys, it is a proven fact that there is a vital need to boost support in the areas of Math, English, and Technology to get them started on completing their degree programs and onto professional careers. Tutoring for these veterans will help ensure that they don’t fall behind in obtaining their degrees and their career objectives,” explains Mike Conklin, CEO of Sentinels of Freedom, the nonprofit who has been funding the veterans tutoring program at MSU. Sentinels of Freedom has supported this program at MSU Bozeman almost exclusively through private donations from outside the state of Montana. Over the last five years, the veterans tutoring program has exceeded all expectations, and is indeed a benefit to the veteran students attending MSU Bozeman, particularly those of us who haven't been in school for a while.
Donations can be made online or by mail. All donations emanating from Montana residents or businesses will be used exclusively for our own veterans here at MSU Bozeman. For more information on how you can make a donation, visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org, or contact Mike Conklin at mconklin@sentinelsoffreedom.org, or (925) 380-6342 x301 Thank you to the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation and the Bozeman Community, for your support!
Veterans Never Stop Serving
“It is now time we ask the Citizens and the Alumni of MSU Bozeman to join us with their support to continue to increase this opportunity for even more veterans attending MSU Bozeman,” states Mike.
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