The fourth re-dedication ceremony of the unnamed angel which keeps watch over area veterans who have served their country in the Armed Forces at Libby City Cemetery was greeted by perfect weather and more than 1,000 American flags.

The statue was restored in 2022 for its centennial celebration. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary No. 97, led by Terry Pitcher, worked in concert with other groups including the Libby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548, to restore the angel.

The two veterans groups worked together again to place “Old Glory” at the sites of those who served in the military.

The angel statue was built in 1922 and displayed in downtown Libby to honor World War I veterans. It was moved to the city cemetery in 1968 and now watches over all those who served in the creation and defense of the United States.

But, on Veterans Day 1969, vandals struck in what The Western News described as “a vicious attack.”

“The statue’s head and arms were broken off and two metal plaques were torn from the base of the statue,” reads the caption of a black and white photograph of the figure. The defacement came during a wave of vandalism in Libby, according to news articles published at the time.

The iconic figure was relocated after suffering the damage. Today, it still serves as a centerpiece to the annual Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies, often flanked by an honor guard and adorned with wreaths on the holidays — just in the city’s cemetery.

But time had taken a toll on the monument before it was restored.

Former Libby Mayor Peggy Williams re-read the proclamation that was prepared for the 100th anniversary while current Mayor Hugh Taylor performed the honors at Saturday’s solemn event. 

Libby High School senior Ashley Cockerham, the recipient of the Legion Auxiliary’s $500 scholarship, spoke of her family members who served in the military.

One repaired planes in France during World War II while another was an honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia.

“Their core values have been passed down through our family and provided the foundations for future generations,” Cockerham.

Cockerham is pursuing a career in law and has already started taking college level courses at Flathead Valley Community College.

Wreaths adorned with red, white and blue flowers along with the wreath recognizing Gold Star families were placed at the foot of the angel.

Edwina Smith played “Taps” while Libby Strings and Things played a number of patriotic songs and “Amazing Grace.”