WWII veterans honored with flight over Gallatin Valley

Belgrade, Montana – 13 WWII veterans will be honored with a flight over the Gallatin Valley on Sunday, August 15, 2021.

The open-cockpit Stearman biplane will be featured during the Dream Flight event, which will also include a ceremony with military branch anthems and flags.

The number of our WWII veterans is rapidly decrasing, and this group’s average age is 97, according to Greg Baker. At one point, Baker said the group numbered 18, but they’ve lost a couple as time passes.

The ceremony honoring the branches of service and the national anthem played by the Bozeman Municipal Band will begin at 9:30 a.m. Family members will introduce and speak about their veteran’s service and life before Steve Daines addresses the group.

The public is welcome to attend the event and witness Dream Flights perform the rides from the former airport observation area, which is located next to Jet and Summit Aviation.

Tim Linn’s vintage Stearman aircraft will be on display at the public viewing area at 350 Airport Road in Belgrade.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• 9:30 – 9:45 AM: Ceremony starts with anthems performed.
• 9:45 – 9:55: Sen. Steve Daines address.
• 10 – 10:25: Family members introduce and talk about their veteran’s service and lives.
• 10: 25: In honor of her fallen husband, Broadwater County Deputy Sheriff Mason Moore, Jodi Moore from the Mason Moore Foundation will receive an American Flag made out of hoses used to fight the Horseshoe Hills Wildfire in Clarkston in 2018.
• 10: 30 AM: First participants head to Jet and Summit Aviation to prepare for their flights.