Smaller Corvallis Memorial Day Parade Will Honor the Fallen

It's usually the largest springtime parade in the Bitterroot Valley. But this year is different. Due to Montana's "Stay At Home" directives, this year's Corvallis Memorial Day Parade will not have lots of floats, music and politicians. Instead, it will recreate the original commemoration 100 years ago when a group of returning World War I veterans marched south on Corvallis' Main Street in honor of those who served. Doug Mason of Corvallis American Legion Post 91 said that on May 25, at the regular time of 10 a.m. a Color Guard will march from Corvallis High School south on Main Street, followed by veterans of all ages - some in vehicles and most walking the route. The event will be live streamed on Facebook Live, he said. He doesn't know how many veterans will be participating, but he inviting any veterans to come walk along. Mason said he is not sure how big the crowd will be, but the Post isn't issuing any directives to the public. He told KLYQ, "We believe in personal responsibility and believe you should, too. And we'll leave it at that." The main goal is to honor active duty personnel and veterans who have died.

At 12 Noon Monday, the Corvallis American Legion will be at the Corvallis Cemetery, where they will read the names of veterans who are buried there - dating back to the Mexican War of 1848. After that, the Legion Riders motorcycle unit will help in placing a wreath in the Bitterroot River at the Woodside Cutoff Bridge for those who died at sea. The public is also invited to those ceremonies. All the ceremonies are hosted by Corvallis Post 91 and Auxiliary Unit 91. The website is corvallispost91.blogspot.com. The Facebook page is facebook/corvallispost91.