The local chapter of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association invites the public to attend a welcome reception for four wounded veterans visiting the Flathead next week from Brooks Army Medical Center in Texas.

Arch Lorentzen, a member of the pilots' association commonly called the River Rats, said the public welcome takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at the Elks Lodge in Kalispell.

"We'd like to see as many military people and the public come and shake their hands as possible," he said. "We'd like to fill the place up."

Visiting warriors include Spec. Lajenna Willard, Sgt. Terry Ligman, Master Sgt. Dennis Liska of the Army and Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Pelletier. All four are recovering from injuries suffered in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Lorentzen said the Flathead Valley group of 30 to 40 fighter pilots worked with the San Antonio River Rats to find veterans healthy enough to withstand the trip.

"Our San Antonia pack has about 100 members," he said. "They are very involved with the hospital."

The Texas group started several years ago by taking patients from the hospital on outings to the Gulf Coast. Lorentzen and the other local retired fighter pilots began planning this trip about two years ago.

The four chosen for the trip arrive Monday via private aircraft provided by the Veterans Airlift Command, a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. The command mainly flies families to military hospitals to visit Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in critical condition or who are recovering or rehabilitating.

"This is just a sideline," he said. "They're a bunch of individuals with big hearts and big wallets."

Lorentzen said businesses across the valley have stepped up with donations to provide a full itinerary for the three soldiers and the marine.

"It's unbelievable," he said.

He still needs to find a volunteer videographer to document the complete trip for inclusion in a national DVD production. Anyone interested in providing the service should contact Lorentzen at 755-1132.

The visit begins with their arrival Monday, July 20. A private reception with aviators and others around the valley takes place at Lorentzen's home where the four vets will stay.

Tuesday starts with breakfast at the Echo Lake Cafe then moves on to a fishing trip on Flathead Lake with Rob Taylor and Bob Orsua. The public welcome happens at 6:30 p.m. at the Kalispell Elks Lodge. Dinner follows at 7:30 p.m. at Moose's Saloon.

On Wednesday, the wounded warriors have breakfast courtesy of Mountain Lakes Lodge then travel to the National Bison Range with lunch at Ninepipes Restaurant and Museum. They have dinner at the Bigfork Inn, then attend a performance at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.

Thursday features a Glacier National Park jammer tour and lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge. They return via a tour of Hungry Horse Dam and have a final dinner at Scotty's in Kalispell.

"We have an exciting trip planned," Lorentzen said. "We're continuously on the go."

He said the pilots association formed in 1967 to share tactics with other pilots flying combat missions in Southeast Asia. They also provided support and scholarships for families of those missing or killed in action.

The Red River Valley Pilots Association formed the Air Warrior Courage Foundation in 1998 to expand on their scholarship activities to include other philanthropic, civic and patriotic programs. People who would like to donate to support trips like this and other activities may do so at the Web site airwarriorcourage.org.

For additional information about the events for these veterans, call Lorentzen at 755-1132.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com