Memorial Day
Honoring those who have paid the price for freedom
By Laura Bell
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.
The Soldier’s Chapel will be holding a special service Sunday, May 24, at 11 a.m. This will include a Color Guard from the National Guard and Jim Chandler, the bugler, concluding with Taps. Reverend Rick Woienski, a Retired Navy Chaplain from Belgrade will return to officiate again. The Chord Rustlers will be performing. Guests include Col. Joe Upshaw and his wife Gloria, a member of the 163 and World War II vet and LTC Kelly S. Morris, present commander of the 1-163D Infantry Battalion, National Guard.
Memorial Day used to be a solemn day of mourning, a sacred day of remembrance to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Businesses closed for the day. Towns held parades honoring the fallen, the parade routes often times ending at a local cemetery, where Memorial Day speeches were given and prayers offered up. People took the time that day to clean and decorate with flowers and flags the graves of those the fell in service to their country.
“Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.” — General Logan – May 5, 1868
We need to remember with sincere respect those who paid the price for our freedoms; we need to keep in sacred remembrance those who died serving their country. We need to never let them be forgotten.
The Soldiers Chapel was built as a memorial to the World War II fallen comrades… “Those immortal soldiers of the 163rd Infantry who with courage and devotion died in pain defending country and the cause of freedom for all men.” It was a creative act, motivated by the love of God and humankind. It has no membership roll. It is rather a fellowship of believers, a fellowship composed of varied beliefs, but one faith…many viewpoints, but one Christ.
The Soldiers Chapel was designed and built by a former member of the 163rd Infantry, Colonel Nelson Story III and his wife, Velma. Construction was begun in early 1955, and on October 2nd of that year the chapel was dedicated. The Regimental Memorial Monument was dedicated by Lt. Col. Harold M. Siqueland, wartime Chaplain of the 163rd Infantry.
The Soldiers Chapel is a small, formal church of classic cruciform design, built of native stone and logs. The steeple, which houses an ancient bell, is of antique copper surmounted by the cross. Above the main entrance is a five-foot rose window. This art work, conceived and designed by Sgt. Jack C. Gunter, 163rd Infantry, and manufactured by the famous Willets of Philadelphia, depicts the theme of the Chapel: a mortally wounded soldier, in a lush tropical setting, reaching upward to receive the hand of God. A great picture window is located directly behind the alter, which is covered by Montana travertine, and silhouettes a simple cross against a magnificent view of snow-capped Lone Mountain, whose peak rises more than 11,000 feet. Above the window hangs in perpetuity the 163rd Infantry “Buffalo Skull” with Regimental crest painted thereon. The Allen Organ replaced an organ which was installed in 1955 at the opening of the Soldiers Chapel and used through the 1969 season. The original organ was a gift from a former Bozeman General Officer of the Army. The new organ was given to the memory of Florence Aitken Anderson, a Montana native and a summertime resident of the Gallatin Canyon. It was a gift from her newspaper colleagues, her brother, her husband, other members of her family, and friends. The carillons, mounted in the steeple and played on the organ keyboard, are the gift of residents of the Canyon and Bozeman, who worship here.
The flag pole was erected by former members of the 163rd Infantry WWII. The American flag was presented by the widow and family of a WWII Montana Veteran who are residents of Gallatin Canyon.
The Soldiers Chapel is open continually during the summer months for meditation and prayer, and visitors are always welcome. Interdenominational services are held very Sunday morning from Memorial Day Sunday to Labor Day Sunday at 11am. Weddings and baptisms are scheduled. Ministers and musicians volunteer to serve the chapel. It is maintained entirely by the Sunday service offerings, the mite box at the entrance, voluntary contributions, memorials, and nominal charges for private ceremonies.
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source: http://www.thebigskyweekly.com
