September Events & Beyond

****** The Heroes at Home BBQ & VSAP has been RESCHEDULED for September 20, 2020 (For more info, go to the "Heroes BBQ & VSAP" page) ******

NOW through November: 12th Annual VFW Firearms RAFFLE

11 monthly drawings January – November; 1 daily drawing for the month of December; 5 bonus guns (2 gun prize).

6/2020, “We still have 1668 tickets remaining. There are some great guns left between now and December. Help us make this year be a sellout and a success. Continue to be safe and support your local businesses while they are opening up.”

TICKETS: https://www.vfwpost209.org/vfw-annual-firearms-raffle

Or, call (406) 240-9742

9/1 Greg Smith’s “An Inconvenient Grizzly,” Heritage Hall, Northern Rockies Heritage Center, 3255 Fort Missoula Rd (Bldg 30), 7pm

RMMMH Spring Newsletter UPDATE, “At NRHC, Greg Smith’s May 19 presentation, “An Inconvenient Grizzly,” has been moved to Sept. 1."

Questions: Heritage Hall (406) 728-3662, info@nrhc.org

Or, Tate Jones, Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History (RMMMH), (406) 549-5346, militarymuseu45@hotmail.com

Or, RMMMH - New phone # (406) 239-7738

9/4 – 9/8 FLATHEAD: Camp IVY during Labor Day weekend, GBC Facility

Inspire Veteran Youth-Volunteer for CAMP IVY! Come and get your feet wet and spent a fabulous, fun-filled weekend in the Flathead area September 4-7! We need you and your talents as we help veteran youth gain H2C (Hope, Courage & Connection).

2/2020 Tabitha, "Montana Joining Community Forces is excited to announce the creation of a weekend camp for veteran youth called Camp IVY (Inspiring Veteran Youth) that will be held on Labor Day weekend"

Questions: Tabitha Garvin-Betancourt, (406) 459-2746, Tabitha.GarvinBetancourt@MilitaryOneSource.com

Or, Military OneSource (406) 781-4986 / (800) 342-9647

Or Montana Guard Kids, (406) 324-3925, (406) 324-5120,

9/4 - 9/6 PHILIPSBURG: Royal Tine 3 Day Horse / Mule Packer Class, Philipsburg, 9am

How many times have you wanted to ride into the backcountry for several days to hunt or simply enjoy mother nature, but didn’t know how to undertake this “monumental” task? This short class will give you the skills to do just that. Classes are held outside of Philipsburg, MT in the foothills of the Anaconda Pintlar Wilderness. Lodging and meals are included. Students stay in wall tents with wood floors, cots and foam mattresses. All meals are hearty homestyle, just like in hunting camp. This class is for beginner to intermediate packers. The class will include lots of hands on packing on gentle mules and lecture type sessions in our classroom. On the last day, students will take a short ride pulling a string. Rider weight is limited to 250lbs max. Whether you have packed a lot and just looking to improve or whether you have never packed at all. I think this class would be beneficial to anyone.
TOPICS COVERED: Saddling and parts I.D.; Fitting the packsaddle; Mantying loads for the Decker; Loading and balancing the pack saddle; Basket hitch; Barrel hitch; Loading panniers; Diamond hitch; Packing meat and antlers; Plus more. https://www.facebook.com/events/2644534942429197/

Check out the website for tuition price & dates:

Questions: Cody and LeRee Hensen, (406) 859-5138, Cell (406) 370-6737,

9/8 FREE: NPOWER TRAINING (Tech fundamentals, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and coding)

Veterans and their spouses can take advantage of free virtual training and certification in technology skills from NPower. After four months of intensive training, mentoring and a paid internship, participants will have access to job placement and more. Apply online now for classes starting on September 8.

APPLY: https://www.npower.org/apply/

Questions: (212) 564-7010, info@npower.org

9/8 (Rescheduled from 4/14), “Montana Frenzy: Riches in the Northern Rockies,” Heritage Hall, Northern Rockies Heritage Center, 3255 Fort Missoula Rd (Bldg 30), 7pm

An illustrated lecture by retired educator, Lee Silliman focuses on the mid-18th century history of gold discoveries in the Montana Territory. It begins with antecedent discoveries in other states, then he discusses the strikes of placer gold in Gold Creek, Bannack, Virginia City, and Last Chance Gulch. The next phase of the quest examined is industrial-scale mining and dredging. The talk also delves into the challenging life of a gold miner, transportation to the Montana gold fields, and frontier justice (or lack thereof) and the remains of this epic period which can still be visited today.

Questions: Heritage Hall (406) 728-3662, info@nrhc.org

Or, Tate Jones, Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History (RMMMH), (406) 549-5346, militarymuseu45@hotmail.com

Or, RMMMH - New phone # (406) 239-7738

9/12 Missoula Out of the Darkness Walk, Silver Park, 700 Cregg Lane, Missoula, 12pm

Join us as we walk to raise hope, awareness, and funds for suicide awareness and prevention. Help us bring suicide out of the darkness. To register today follow the link, sign up your team and start fundraising. https://www.facebook.com/events/469467750619765/

Questions: Nancy Yates (406) 855-5267,

Or, Rachel Thurston, (406) 207-2816,

9/19 ELKHORN: ALR Monthly Ride, Elkhorn MT, 8am - 8pm

268 miles, more info TBA https://www.facebook.com/events/482104516049243/

Questions: Don Goodnight, Corvallis Legion Riders President, (406) 360-5275

Or, Doug, (406) 546-4244,

9/19 - 9/20 (Rescheduled from 5/16 – 5/17): Healing Every Living Person “H.E.L.P. FEST” Missoula County Fairgrounds, 10am – 7pm

Our mission is to help heal our community and bring together unity through this two day event. Our hope is to provide free resources and services to address urgent and long term needs such as hunger, homelessness, addiction, abuse, suicide prevention, and joblessness. We will have available representatives from local churches, help groups, organizations, recovery centers, suicide prevention centers, and any organization that wants to participate in giving back to our community. We will also have a food and clothing drive, entertainment, kid’s games and activities, music, and guest speakers. Montana struggles more now than it ever has with poverty, drugs, addiction, and suicide. Let’s do what we can to H.E.L.P. make a change in our community. The key to living is giving!! “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” –Steve Maraboli

Questions: Brandon Brown, (406) 926-9595, h.e.l.p.festmt@gmail.com

9/20 (Rescheduled from 5/2): The VSN's 7th Annual Heroes at Home BBQ & Music Festival in partnership w/the 5th Annual Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention (VSAP) RUCK / RUN / WALK, Fort Missoula Regional Park

****** Click on "More" at the top of the page and go to the "HEROES BBQ & VSAP" page ******

The VSN Events CMTE met 4/16, and since we couldn't get a permit for May, we reviewed the dates FMRP had the pavilion available in Aug/Sept. September 20th was the only date feasible for VSN Leadership. Thank you to all of our sponsors & supporters for always being there for our Veterans, service members, and families / caregivers ~ YOU ROCK!

Sincerely, VSN Leadership Team (Anton, Erick, John, Rebecca, and Shannon)

*** If you would like to donate to one of our organizations that support Veterans, service members & their families / caregivers:

Extreme Sports for Veterans: http://xsports4vets.org/
United Veterans Council (UVC) of Missoula & Ravalli Counties, Veterans Relief Fund (Emergency gas, etc.): EIN# 81-6016498; Mail: American Legion Post 27, 825 Ronan St., Missoula, MT 59801; Questions: John Angwin, American Legion Commander, C 544-2583, johnsangwin@hotmail.com
Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention (VSAP): https://runsignup.com/vsap

VSN Leadership:

*** BBQ / H@H Event Logistics - contact Anton, Missoula Vet Center, Xsports4Vets & VFW Commander, (406) 721-4918 or (406) 396-8390, Anton.Johnson@va.gov

*** VSAP Coordinator - contact Erick, Missoula Vet Center & American Legion Post 27, (406) 721-4918 or (406) 224-3334, Erick.Kahila@va.gov

*** Veteran Service Providers - RSVP to Shannon, Job Service DVOP snoble@mt.gov

*** Media & Silent Auction Donors - contact Rebecca, VSN Spokesperson, Missoula Housing Authority, (406) 549-4113, ext. 106, rstancil@missoulahousing.org

9/21 – 9/25 Montana Nonprofit Association Annual Conference

The location of MNA's 2020 Annual Conference, RESOLVE, has been updated to... everywhere. That's right, we're going virtual. Join us for a dynamic digital experience September 21st through the 25th. This year, gain access to ALL sessions and materials to watch live or later. There will be impactful keynotes, illuminating breakout sessions, stimulating deep dives, happy hours, streaming music from our favorite Montana artists, and more. We can't wait to share an enriching experience that will deliver the connection, learning, and growing you've come to expect from MNA. Interested in presenting at RESOLVE? Submit your speaker proposal by June 21st.

Registration will open soon: https://www.mtnonprofit.org/resolve-2020/

Questions: Montana Nonprofit Association, (406) 449-3717, mna@mtnonprofit.org

10/15 DEADLINE: 2020-2021 Preserving Missoula County’s History Grants (Sent to VSN listserv 8/11/20)

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for Preserving Missoula County’s History Grants. This program is open to all Missoula County non-profit organizations involved in historic preservation and interpretation projects in Missoula County. Missoula voters made funding these grants possible when they approved the 2-mill levy for the Historical Museum in 2002.

A total amount of $10,000 is available for one-time projects with a demonstrable long-term impact for local history; individual projects are limited to a maximum grant of $5,000. Capital Improvement funds are available for projects such as: structural improvement, structure and site restoration, physical access (ADA), interpretive facilities and collections, and adaptation to meet health and safety requirements. Interpretation funds are available for contributions to local history in the areas of site investigation and interpretation, long-term exhibits, and publications. The primary emphasis must be on the demonstrable long-term impact of the project on the preservation, interpretation, dissemination and/or enhancement of local history. The grants may not be used for routine maintenance, programs, publicity, general operations, personnel, or personal research, and they must be related to the mission of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula – the preservation and interpretation of: Missoula County history, the military history of Fort Missoula, and the history of the timber industry in western Montana. . Application deadline is October 15, 2020 (earlier submission is recommended).

INFO: https://fortmissoulamuseum.org/about/grant-opportunities/

Questions: Matt Lautzenheiser, Executive Director, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, (406) 258-3471, mlautzenheiser@missoulacounty.us

10/17 PHILIPSBURG: ALR End of Year Ride, Philipsburg 8am - 8pm

272 miles, more info TBA https://www.facebook.com/events/544635289470568/

Questions: Don Goodnight, Corvallis Legion Riders President, (406) 360-5275

Or, Doug, (406) 546-4244,

10/17 Bryan's Super Happy Fun Time Tour, Ole Beck VFW Post 209, 245 W. Main St., Missoula, 8 - 11pm

21+ https://www.facebook.com/events/2490909751182727/

** Ole Beck VFW Post 209 is a Non Profit Veteran Organization, and all profits go back to the local Veteran community and/or Veteran programs. VFW is open to the public and dog friendly!

Questions: VFW (406) 778-7749,

2020 WINTER in BUTTE: Xsports4vets Georgetown Ice Fishing Tourney (Details TBD)

FREE for Veterans with proof of deployment to an area of imminent danger. All gear, instruction, and even lunch is provided by XSports. Seats/spots are limited.

RSVP: Janna (406) 239-3198 (Text or call)

Missoula / LOCAL Questions: Anton (406) 396-8390 or Steve (406) 493-2264, xsports4vets@gmail.com (xsports4vets.org)

****** END of EVENTS ******

*** IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL FLYER and/or INFO TO (Or, snoble@mt.gov)

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