Kids, dressed in red, white and blue, carried plastic bags in hopes candy would be tossed during the Memorial Day parade in Polson. A smattering of adults lined Main Street too. No one seemed sure what to expect.

This was a different kind of parade than those colorful events that close Main Street on Independence Day or before Christmas, spreading smiles and treats. Instead, it was small, consisting of a few military vehicles and a flag-bearing cadre of motorcyclists, led through town by a police car.

The procession collected more and more vehicles as it headed south on Main Street, turned left on Seventh Ave. and slowly moved uphill to Lake View Cemetery.

A few girls, walking away afterward, described it as boring.

But for the men and women who served in the military, or lost a friend or family member in combat, Memorial Day is something else entirely.

“It's a tough day,” said veteran Joe Stark, as he stood alone in the cemetery, watching the ceremony from a distance. He spent 21 years in the Army, including a stint in Vietnam.

Small flags flew from the white crosses and grave markers of the many veterans buried on the green hillside overlooking Flathead Lake. The Veterans Honor Guard rifle squad stood ready to deliver a 21-gun salute as their commander, Glen Sharbono of the Ronan American Legion, cradled his trumpet.  

“This is truly a bittersweet Memorial Day for me,” said veteran and retired Judge Kim Christopher, who spoke during the ceremony. “The oldest vet in our family died on Veterans Day last year, and that's my dad.”

“Those of my generation owe a great debt to those who came before us, who lived, worked, and died to make our lives easier,” Christopher said. “And because it was given us, we didn't understand the cost.”

She also spoke about the difference between a civilian and a citizen (crediting her sons with the making the distinction): “A civilian is just somebody who lives in this country. But a citizen is somebody who takes seriously the differences we can make … Care starts at home, in our schools, our businesses, our organizations, our churches.”

She also spoke of the power of diversity. “I worry sometimes, that we're dividing and tearing ourselves apart in this country,” she said. “We're not honoring our differences and granting them the gift they give us to know so much more about each other.”

An auxiliary member rang a bell as Jeff Nelson of the American Legion Hardwick Post read out the names of each war the United States has participated in. Finally, Sharbono ordered the seven members of the rifle squad to present arms and fire three times. He then raised his trumpet to send the soulful sound of Taps across the cemetery.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to observe this day for those that died for this nation,” Nelson said. “So I'd like to thank everybody for showing up for our ceremony – it shows patriotism.”

Ronan American Legion also hosted a procession through town to Mountain View Cemetery, where they honored veterans at the grave of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Laverne Parrish.  

    A small, but patriotic audience gathered on Main Street in Polson Monday to watch the Memorial Day procession travel through town. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Honor Guard marches through downtown Ronan on Memorial Day, following a procession in Polson. The group of veterans also offered a 21-gun salute at cemeteries in both communities. (Susan Lake photo)
  

    Flags flew atop veterans' graves at Lake View Cemetery in Polson on Memorial Day – a tribute undertaken each year by volunteers. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)