Lights for soldiers

"Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" is one of the new projects at the Montana Veterans Home. It's patriotic, symbolic, worthwhile. The community has an opportunity to use it as well as helping finance the endeavor.

Theresa Bilger-Habeger, an Air Force veteran and nurse at the home, is credited with the idea for the lighting project. She enlisted in December 1981, was stationed in England, and served "until just after Desert Storm." She became a nurse after her discharge from the service.

Her son, Decker Konya, 20, returned to the states in January after serving as a medic in Iraq. Theresa stated she "is really proud of the employees and veterans at the home." They were very supportive, knew Decker was with the infantry, were concerned about him, and kept Theresa informed when she missed news broadcasts while working. Decker is now stationed in Texas.

Idea for "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" came when Theresa was driving to work at the Veterans Home. Decker was in Iraq, and she was remembering words to a song about "every light in the house is on." Theresa saw the yellow ribbons that junior high school students placed on the large trees lining the Veterans Home driveway.

It was then Theresa thought "it would be so nice to light a soldier's way home, put a light, make this home a welcoming place for those who had no one."

Quality Action Retention Committee is a Veterans Home organization. Members represent a cross section of departments in the facility. Idea for "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" was adopted by QARC and planning was underway.

Committee members are Ron Balas, Jeanne Howard, Pearla Gonzales, Patrick Lewis, Tracey Reynolds, Betty Rhodes, Kathy Scott, Bonnie Stutsman, Paul Vendetti and Theresa.

Five street lights with photo cells will be installed adjacent to the five benches along the quarter-mile driveway from Talbott Road to the home. Cost of light poles, installation and wiring is estimated at $8,000. Roundup for Safety, through the Flathead Electric Cooperative, Inc., and the Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation are committed to this phase of the project.

It's noted that not only members of the home use the pathway. It's also utilized by adults and students walking. The lights will provide a safety project for all. The path is "not too far from the baseball fields."

Another important phase of "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" is rebuilding the gate entrance to the home. Plans are for two fortified brick walls, illuminated, with one on either side of the entrance. There will be a permanent plaque listing names of donors.

Hopes had been to use bricks from the former dormitory, which housed kitchen and dining room for many years. However, bricks were not usable after the structure was razed this year. Bids will be received from stone masons for bricks and labor.

Total cost of expenditures is not completed, but it is expected the plaque alone will probably be least $1,000.

The brick work in relation to servicemen was discussed when planning "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home." Mortar used in brick work with "strength and structure" was likened to servicemen with same abilities.

Home employees in the QARC sponsor a variety of fundraising activities for the home. These include car washes, rummage sales, with an "end of the summer bake sale" scheduled. Planning is under way for the Christmas party for residents, which is financed by the employees.

QARC also sponsors an employee of the month at the home, awarding a plaque and gift certificate.

Projects such as "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" and brick entrance improvements are not financed through the State of Montana, although it is a state institution.

Individuals and organizations wishing to contribute to "Lighting a Soldier's Way Home" and brick entrance memorials are invited to do so. Donations may be mailed to Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation, Montana Veterans Home, P.O. Box 250, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Personally, I feel it is worthwhile for residents to visit the home. It's an opportunity to see a great facility, meet members, Superintendent Balas and employees. Many members do not have families.

In closing, Theresa reminded me to "thank veterans, past, present, future, for freedom and ability to be where we are today in order to do this for them."

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.