Missoula, Montana
Veteran Affairs & Rehab
National Security
Americanism
Children & Youth
Marine Private First Class Andrew D. Bedard sometimes called in the middle of the night, using the minute or so soldiers in Iraq are allotted to touch base with his friends. If his buddies didn’t pick up the phone, he would call them back the next day, maybe while they were in class at the University of Montana. That’s where he planned to be one day, too, after he finished his tour of duty with the U.S. Marines.
Andrew Bedard, 19, of Missoula, Montana, died on October 4, 2005 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He had been in Iraq for only a month. Bedard, who trained in San Diego, was a Humvee driver in a unit taking part in the military’s offensive to roust insurgents out of western Iraq.
Bedard was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Article courtesy of Fallen Heroes Project
My Army career began in the summer of 1959 when I joined a new Army Reserve
Program and ended in December 1967 when I was discharged. The program required
attending all Army Reserve drills during my Senior year of high school and upon my
graduation to serve six months active duty. My Reserve Unit at Ft Missoula was
Medical, so by the time I left for active duty my arms had about ten times the
the required shots. On the first day of active duty training at Ft Ord, Monterey,
California my Vaccine card was discarded and I got a new one with new shots.
Upon graduation from Basic Training I was assigned to a medical training program
at Brooks Medical Center, Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. The high point of
of my time at Ft Sam occurred on the Ft Sam Golf Course when General Mark Clark
joined our group and he asked me to join him on his golf cart; the other two players
in the foursome were Colonel’s. The nice thing on the golf course uniforms and
military protocol aren’t observed; but during our round the Colonel’s gave extra
praise to the General, this is why he chose me as his partner. I was lucky to play with
the General one more weekend: this time he offered to help me get into Special
services, but I had to declined his offer because I was in the Reserve. I finished my
my Medical training in March of 1961 and returned to Missoula to rejoin my Reserve
Unit. In the Fall of 1961 I started my Pre Dental education at the U of Montana and
do a year of required ROTC. In the Fall of 1962 I transferred to ASU in Tempe, Arizona
to continue my education and the advantages of a better golf program. I transferred
to the Army Reserve Unit in Phoenix and was assigned to the Dental Unit. My time
in the Dental Unit changed my plans to become a Dentist and in December 1963
I returned to Missoula and the U of Montana to switch to Business. During the
Summer of 1963 at the State Golf Tournament I met a Life Guard that change my
life for the next 37 years. Transferring back from the Arizona Reserve Unit to my
Missoula Army Reserve Unit my record disappeared; from then until my discharge
in December of 1967 my Army Reserve Career was in limbo. I qualified for the
American Legion because I was on active duty in March 1961; I joined when I became.
eligible. For 50 years I manufactured and sold Dental products and the last 23 years
have had my second wonderful partner and wife.
Meetings
3rd Tuesday of every month, 1700 Stevens Ave
We were all delighted to be able to have a Legion family BBQ in August of 2020. It was great having everyone out. Looking back and remembering how it was pre-COVID19, we really appreciate these memories. We also had our final Raffle ticket sale in May. We appreciate everyone who purchased a ticket and stopped by to say hello. We look forward to doing this again!
Previous
Next
Veteran’s BBQ
Post 68 put on a BBQ for the Valor House Veterans and the Veterans of the Poverello in Missoula. It is an honor and privilege to be able to give and be a part of our great community and to help fellow Veterans.
Valor House BBQ 2019
Valor House BBQ 2019
Memorial Day
Starting on Friday, May 25th 2019, we were able to aid in placing about 200 flags per day until Sunday, May 27th in and around the Missoula Cemetery Veterans section in honor of Memorial Day. Post 68 along with the County Cemetery employees and the Eagles Lodge in Missoula, took part in this memorable event. Click here to view photos.
2021
Memorial Day Flags at Missoula Cemetery, 3 days of putting flags out and taking down to avoid night time theft.
Auxiliary members put first flag up on Memorial Day and helped take flags down at the end. Thank you to all of our Volunteers and Members! Click here to view photos.
June of 2019, Post 68 held a membership and Raffle ticket sales event at Rosauers in Missoula. Thank you, Rosauers for having us and thank you to all who stopped by! Look for again soon. We have membership sign-ups in different areas of Missoula. Look for our announcements in the Calendar and Events section of our page. Click above to view.
Every year, Post 68 participates in a cleanup in and around the Missoula Memorial Rose Garden. From the Korean memorial to the Vietnam memorial, new flowers planted, shrubs trimmed, garbage picked up and respect paid. Thank you to all the volunteers who take time to refurbish the Memorial Rose Garden. We appreciate you! Click here to view more.
2020
Thank you to Walmart for the flower donations! New flowers were planted, shrubs trimmed, garbage was picked up and respect was paid. Thank you to all the volunteers who take time to refurbish the Memorial Rose Garden. We appreciate you! Click here to view more.
2021
We want to thank the volunteers of Post 68 as well as the members of the new Post 68 Auxiliary and Commander Kirsten Weimer for their dedication and help with the Rose Garden Cleanup! Click here to view.
District Meeting
Post 68 hosted the September 29th, 2019 District Meeting that also included the Women’s Auxiliary. Thank you to all that attended.
Click here to view more
We are Veterans, too. If you have questions or need help, know that there’s answers.
What can Post 68 do for me?
We’re glad you asked!
Education
Assistance
Several states offer veterans education benefits and programs of their own. Click here to see a state-by-state listing of education benefits. Find 2019 Top Rated Colleges for Military and Veterans here.
Family
Support
The American Legion provides family support so that no family endures hardship caused by military service but when joining your local Post, we are family, we are Veterans and we understand. We are here to help with answers and direction as well. Click here for more information.
Learning
Eligibility
Having to decipher which benefits you are eligible for and figuring out the who’s and where’s can be overwhelming. That’s where your Post members can help! We work directly with Veterans and servicemembers to help.
Operation
Comfort Warriors
OCW helps active-duty military personnel and newly discharged Veterans recover and adjust to lifestyle changes. Your post can assist with these lifestyle changes as well because we’ve been there!
Discount programs are offered exclusively to members of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. Click here to learn more.
FAQ
Still have questions about membership and eligibility? Click here or email us and we will be happy to reach you back via your preferred means to answer any questions.
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER
FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;
To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
PREAMBLE INTERPRETATION
CLICK HERE
Email us directly @ mtpost68@gmail.com
A unit of the Legion representing Missoula, MT.
800 Burlington Ave Missoula, MT
Copyright © 2021 American Legion Post 68 | Powered by The American Legion
Facebook
Website proudly designed by
T.A.G.E Digital Marketing
