The St. Regis School gymnasium was filled with emotion, pride and gratitude Tuesday morning as students, staff and community members gathered for the annual Veterans Day breakfast and assembly.

The event is a cherished local tradition honoring those who have worn the uniform of the United States armed forces. 

Before the ceremony began at 9:15 a.m., the school cafeteria buzzed with laughter and conversation as a couple dozen veterans reunited over breakfast. Many were longtime friends, trading stories and good-natured banter, a ritual as beloved as the assembly itself.

“Nobody really knows how long this tradition has been going on,” said St. Regis School District Clerk Tina Hill, a fourth-generation St. Regis native. “Our prior head cook was a veteran, and I’m wondering if he might have started it.” 

For Hill, the event carries deep personal meaning. 

“My dad, my grandpa, my nephews, and my niece all served,” she said. “Some were combat veterans, and I’m thankful that none of them perished. This day always makes me emotional.”

Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11 and honors all who have served honorably in the U.S. military, both living and deceased, in both wartime and peace. It stands in contrast to Memorial Day, which commemorates those who died in service to their country. 

Montana, known for its deep respect for the military, has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the nation. According to 2023 Veterans Administration data, roughly one in thirteen Montanans, about 88,500 residents, has served. The state ranks third per capita behind only Alaska and Virginia.

Veterans were seated on the gym floor facing the students. The American Legion Post 13 Color Guard, led by Chaplain Dave Hannah, posted the colors. St. Regis School Superintendent, Derek Larson, sang the national anthem, and the ceremony commenced as the voices of students and veterans filled the gym. 

Among the morning’s speakers was Conner Lewis, a 16-year-old junior at St. Regis High School whose mother and great-grandparents are veterans. Lewis volunteered to deliver the keynote address. 

“To me, this means we’re here to honor the people who sacrificed their lives for all of us — for the young people building our country and what it means to be free,” Lewis said. 

He added that he’s considering a future in military service himself.

Russ Cleveland, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime speaker at the event, praised the school for its commitment to honoring service members. 

“It’s nice to see them teach the kids what Veterans Day really means,” Cleveland said. “The sacrifices men and women alike have made deserve to be remembered.” 

Cleveland, who served six years on active duty and eight in the Naval Reserve, credits his military experience for shaping his career. 

“I learned electronics in the Navy, and that training carried me through my work with the FAA in Missoula,” he explained. 

Cleveland now serves as chair of the St. Regis School Board. His son, also named Russ and a Navy veteran himself, is currently running for U.S. Congress.

Ray Welch Post 13 Commander Vince Triplett, who participated with the American Legion Honor Guard, shared his thoughts of the traditional event. 

“This is so important because veterans can connect with the young people,” he said. “It helps them understand what it means to serve and maybe even inspires them to consider it themselves. It’s an amazing feeling just being around them.”

As the microphone was passed among the veterans, a few shared brief, heartfelt words. Their voices carried the weight of experience, gratitude and pride which are reminders of the enduring human stories behind the uniforms. 

For the community of St. Regis, this event is more than a ceremony. It’s a bridge between generations; a moment to reflect, connect, and ensure that the lessons of service, sacrifice and freedom are never forgotten.

    Dave Hannah, American Legion Post 13 Chaplin, talks with students and answers questions about his Marine Corps military service at the St. Regis School Veterans Day Breakfast and Ceremony. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    Pre-K teacher Tanya Lyscio walks Griffin Webster around to thank some of the veterans and give them drawings that he made in her class. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    Before the students arrived, local veterans and their families chatted with each other. St. Regis School holds an annual Veterans Day Breakfast and Ceremony to show their gratitude to those who served. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    Navy veteran Russ Cleveland who is also the chairman of the St. Regis Schoolboard, spoke to the students on meaning of ‘service to county’ at the assembly while local veterans sat behind him. Some made comments on their own experiences afterwards as a mic was passed around. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

      

    St. Regis School junior, Conner Lewis, thanks the veterans for their service at the Veterans Day Breakfast and Ceremony while many vets were behind him who later spoke on their gratitude to the community and school for this annual event. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)