![Fallen Soldier Memorial at University of Montana to be Official State Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2013/10/Fallen-Soldier-Jannette-McDonald.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Fallen Soldier Memorial at University of Montana to be Official State Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial [AUDIO]
On Saturday, October 26, following the home Grizzly military appreciation football game against Eastern Washington, the Fallen Soldier Memorial will be recognized as the official State Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial.
David Bell, co-founder and president of Grateful Nation Montana, said on Wednesday, October 16, that the timing for the announcement is fitting to honor the memorial.
"30 minutes after the final whistle of the Griz game, there will be a short dedication ceremony for the Fallen Soldier Memorial," Bell said. "The governor will be there, along with president Royce Engstrom, General Quinn, myself, and I hope, many of the attendees of the game will stop at this ceremony on their way out."
Bell said many of the family members of those fallen soldiers enshrined in the memorial will attend the event.
"We've got quite a few of the families, that we call our Gold Star families, parents, spouses, and siblings of our 43 Montana soldiers who will be there," Bell said. "We actually have 38 children left behind by our 43 fallen soldiers, and quite a few will be attending the game. Many are coming from outside Missoula to attend the dedication. The ceremony will last no more than 30 minutes, and it's a great opportunity to honor those who stepped up and served their country and laid down their lives, and who we need to remember."
The monument was installed at UM in 2011, and officially dedicated on November 4, 2011.
David Bell, co-founder and president of Grateful Nation Montana
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![University of Montana Now Home of State’s Official Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran’s Memorial [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2013/10/Memorial-Guard.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Court Victory for Montana Students With Special Needs](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS47253_GettyImages-494312894-scr-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stay Cool Missoula: Tips From Disaster Services Director](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS27921_GettyImages-1011404062-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Knife-Wielding Woman Arrested in Missoula After Altercation](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-featured-image-2024-07-15T122519.061.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Gas Prices Continue to Rise, More Increases Are Expected](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-RS48332_GettyImages-178371765-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Miller Peak Fire Near Missoula Grows to 800 Acres](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-MillerPeakFire-714-EDIT.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saving Money on Energy Bills During Missoula’s Summer Heatwave](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS20739_GettyImages-488874060-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missoula Asks for Help to Save Drought Stressed Boulevard Trees](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-Drought-Stredded-Trees-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missoula Crime Report: Record Number of Weekly Felony Cases for 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS24566_GettyImages-506978155-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)