VIDEO (2019 Heroes at Home & VSAP): Community Action Documentary by Sanai Abell
The Veteran Support Network (VSN) was established in 2013 to provide a network of support for Veterans, service members, their families / caregivers, and survivors. To celebrate our hometown heroes and to remember the service & sacrifices of our military brothers & sisters, the VSN hosts an annual “Heroes @ Home” on ARMED FORCES DAY (3rd Saturday in May) which includes free food, live music, a resource fair, and a silent auction in partnership with the
Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention (VSAP) run, walk and/or RUCK!
SAVE the DATE: May 16, 2026
13th Annual Heroes at Home BBQ & 10th Annual VSAP
Share the VSN's FB Event!
THEME: America250!
2025 Photo Album
****** SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE DETAILS ******
Experience the VSN!
Heroes at Home BBQ & VSAP
We had our first 3 planning meetings for 2026:
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Permits are done; Competitive timing confirmed; MYCA Road Guards confirmed; 1 VSAP Water Table claimed - 2 more available.
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50 people have registered for VSAP already - the most ever this early!
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The Legion Post 27 Commander will be providing the BBQ again, and he's fixing up the AL Train.
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USMC Veteran, Barbara Sim, will be singing the National Anthem - Give her FB page a follow!
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The ALL-VETERAN, Bourbon & Bullets Band is confirmed (Added to VOB page - Follow them on FB) - Seeking 1 more band.
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GCU and Montana VA Health Care are donating canvas bags, and Ruben’s buying the cakes again.
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SILENT AUCTION - We've received 15 items, and Fred's Appliance might be donating LARGE items (chest freezer & Bosch 800 Dishwasher)! Barb made a BEAUTIFUL patriotic quilt; Louis donated a gorgeous, framed Eagle print; Keely is donating a framed, black and white print of WWII B-25 "Maid in the Shade"; Laura donated paracord bracelets, and Jeanne donated her denim bears! If you have an item you'd like to donate, please contact Jenny, Jennifer.Keys@va.gov, Maritsa.saucedo-graham@va.gov; Sara.Ball@mt.gov OR Rebecca for questions and/or to coordinate donation pick up 406-241-3542, rebecca_stancil@outlook.com (they will provide you with a donation receipt / Tax ID). They're also working on PayPal & Square accounts for payments, and there will be 50/50, and the mystery envelopes for $10 again.
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TABLING is FREE - Veteran Service Providers (VSP), Veteran Friendly Employers (VFE), or Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB)
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You MUST bring own canopy, table, and chairs and be set up by 0930.
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YOU ARE welcome to PULL UP TO THE MUSEUM TO UNLOAD; however, please park away from the museum afterwards because we need room for the Mobile Vet Center, firetruck & disabled parking.
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PLEASE DO NOT set up in the lawn of the military museum (this area is reserved for the bands, attendees/picnic tables, silent auction, and the entire lawn by the tank is reserved for the kid’s activities). Set up around the perimeter (by the trees at RMMMH) OR in the grass in front of the CCC Warehouse, Building T-312 (the long building right next to RMMMH) OR in the grass between the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula and RMMMH.
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RSVP: Shannon, snoble@mt.gov
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CONFIRMED VSP under Schedule of Events below.
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The Mavericks and Scouts are providing volunteers (Scouting America - Montana Council / Mullan Trail & NW District will also be providing activities for the kiddos). Ms. Montana United Crown of America will be in attendance!
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The Elks donated $1,000 to offset the cost of food, VSAP t-shirts, etc.
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THANK YOU ALL!!!
Once again, the event will be held at the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History. The route will run through Ft. Missoula Park and includes a 3-mile loop awareness walk, 6-mile Ruck event and 12-mile run. The VSAP helps build community which is one way to help combat suicide. Montana consistently has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, per capita. This event will help raise awareness and promote prevention about this epidemic by bring the community together to memorialize those lost and let Veterans, their friends, and families know they are not alone!
VOLUNTEER (Set up, check in, water tables, food service, road guards, medical, etc. - Must be between 10-100 yrs old).
VSAP Questions: Erick 406-224-3334, kahilaem@gmail.com
DONATE - If you prefer check donations, please make out to "Xsports4Vets" and mail to P.O. Box 2152, Missoula, MT 59806
Questions: Anton - Xsports4Vets 406-396-8390 or Tom - Event Gatekeeper, currant1973@gmail.com
OR Event Site: Tate - RMMMH 406-239-7738, militarymuseu45@hotmail.com - MAIL check donations to P.O. Box 7263, Missoula, MT 59807
Other VSN Events CMTE members:
Clayton D. Keys, CBHPSS - Peer Support, clayton.keys@va.gov
Tim Garrison – GSUSA, Scouting America, American Legion, Marine Corps League & VFW, muxchief@hotmail.com
2026 Schedule of Events:
13th Annual Heroes at Home BBQ
and 10th Annual Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention (VSAP)
May 15th ~ VSAP PICK UP (EARLY walk/run CHECK IN): Package pick-up will be Friday at the Missoula Vet Center from 1000 to 1800. Please pick-up event package (T-Shirt, Swag) on this date to ensure smooth participant flow the morning of the VSAP Event. Questions: Erick, kahilaem@gmail.com OR Anton 406-396-8390
May 16th ~ Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History, 2975 General Foster Ave. (BLDG T-316)
Fort Missoula
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0830 - 0930 TABLE SET UP
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Veteran Service Providers (VSP), Veteran Friendly Employers (VFE), or Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB)
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0900 VSAP Check In
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If you were unable to pick up your race bag Friday at the Vet Center, it will be at the event (gazebo in the lawn of HMFM).
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1000 OPENING CEREMONY ~
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Colors - Montana Honor Guard & Legion Color Guard; Welcome & Announcements by VSN Leadership
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National Anthem by USMC Veteran, Barbara Sim & Prayer by Rob Ellis - Chaplain.
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Reading of Names by VSN Leadership (Our military brothers & sisters who lost the battle to suicide) & VFW Honor Guard (3-round volley), TAPS - TBD
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1030 Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention (VSAP) Run / Walk / RUCK - MAP
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1100 Heroes at Home BBQ ~ FREE FOOD while supplies last. There are limited picnic tables at the event, so don’t forget your chairs or blankets!
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The American Legion Post 27 and VFW Post 209 are partnering to provide smoked pulled and sliced pork! Jim (Legion Commander) & Robin - Smoker, Baked Beans
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Ruben (Fred's Appliance / Veteran) ~ 2 Patriotic Cakes
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1100 - 1500 ~ LIVE MUSIC:
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The Bourbon & Bullets Band (Veterans - FB)
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Monte confirmed! (12pm)
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Silent Auction, Veteran Resource Fair, activities for the KIDDOS & OPEN HOUSE at Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History (indoor restroom closed - porta potties available outside).
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Confirmed tables: Veteran Service Providers (VSP), Veteran Friendly Employers (VFE), and Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB)
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Agent Jen & DVOP will be there to welcome and assist you!
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American Legion of Montana (District 5 VSO; Chief Joseph Post 135 Lolo & Hellgate Post 27 Missoula)
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Be SMART Volunteers
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Bitter Root Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
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Hellman Insurance Agency
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Girl Gone Nutz (VOB)
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Grand Canyon University (GCU is also donating VSAP race bags/sunglasses)
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Living in Missoula (Diana Filkins - Real Estate Advisor)
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Medicare Advocates
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Missoula Acupuncture
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Missoula “Hell Gate Elks” Lodge 383
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Missoula Housing Authority (+ swag)
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Mobile Vet Center
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Montana VA Health Care (Peer Specialists; HUD VASH; Mental Health, PACT, Suicide Prevention & VA Military2VA/TBI Program)
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Montana Veteran Affairs Division
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Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA also providing road guards / volunteers).
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Ole Beck VFW Post 209
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Poverello Center - Veteran Services & Community Engagement Specialist
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Red Willow Learning Center's Heroes Therapeutic Outreach Program (HTOP)
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UM Military & Veteran Services Office (MVSO)
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VFW District 1 VSO
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Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)
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Volunteers of America (VOANR)
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Walmart Supercenter (+water/beverages)
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Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)
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Xsports4Vets!
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LINKS TO ALL PHOTO ALBUMS (2014 - 2025):
2014 Heroes @ Home BBQ & Music Festival
2015 Heroes @ Home BBQ & Music Festival
2016 Heroes @ Home BBQ & Music Festival
2018 Heroes @ Home BBQ & VSAP
2019 Heroes @ Home BBQ, Easter Egg Hunt & VSAP
2020 Heroes @ Home & Military Appreciation OPEN HOUSE
2023 Heroes @ Home BBQ & VSAP
2025 Heroes @ Home BBQ & VSAP
THANK YOU to all of our supporters in 2025:
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We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback, and Erick said 285 people registered for VSAP (285 registered and probably 325 walked).
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The BBQ was the BEST we’ve had since pre-covid (480+ plates).
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The silent auction was HUGE, and MHA reported that one of the Valor House residents donated his own artwork! (RIP Robert)
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There were so many amazing donations, service providers tabling, and all-around GOOD VIBES.
2025 DONORS:
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All Star Nutrition ~ Water Table Host + Nutrition Supplies.
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The American Legion Post 27 & VFW Post 209 partnered to provide the smoked, pulled and sliced pork!
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AFSP, All Ways Caring Homecare, Amazon, Dog Tag Buddies, Hellman Ins., Medicare Advocates, Serengeti Care & TGRC ~ Swag
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Art and Movement Summer Camp ~ Games & crafts for the kiddos!
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BANDS: Joyride, Calamity Cowboy and Blinded. Some country, rock covers and alternative. There was a little bit of something for everyone!
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Bitterroot Valley Military Program (BVMP) & Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) Volunteers!
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Grand Canyon University (GCU) tabled & donated the VSAP race bags!
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Missoula Housing Authority ~ Travel Utensils on a Caribiner
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Missoula Therapy, PLLC ~ Water Table Host
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National Anthem by Sara Knab.
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PEPSI CO OF MISSOULA ~ Soda & Water.
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Personal check in the memory of John Bryan.
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SILENT AUCTION in 2025: 0241 Tactical ~ Gift Certificate; All Star Nutrition; ALPS ~ Gift Basket (Cooking sauce's, grill mitts, skewers, beef injection mixtures, burger press etc.); All Ways Caring Homecare ~ Pet Themed Gift Basket; AM Scott, Author & USAF Veteran ~ Set of Novels; Anonymous ~ Vintage Betty Boop Collector's Doll; Art & Movement Summer Camp Gift Basket (munchies); Back Home Crochet ~ Crocheted Afghan (Blanket); Ball Family ~ Grill & Gardening Themed Basket; Barb Vandercook (Trenton, MI) - Beautiful Fleece Blanket & Lap Quilt; Bellamah Aesthetics ~ Photo-Fabulous Laser Treatment; Big Dipper ~ Gift Cards; Dani Montana Photography ~ Mini Session (20 minutes, 15 Digital Images); Denny Menholt University Honda ~ GC for an Oil Change; Fred's Appliance ~ Conservator Freezer; Jeweled Halo; Keely M. Zimmerman Photography (VOB) ~ Miss Montana Print; Kelly Palmer ~ Guided Flyfishing Trip; Key's Family ~ Dental Basket & Steel Artwork (RMEF); Lolo Liquor & Wine (On program as Burgess, Tina) ~ Liquor Gift Basket (Horse Soldier Bourbon, Crown's Purple Bag Project, Willie's Distillery Devil’s Brigade Whisky, Cape Horn Tequila); Martha's Sewing Ministry ~ Quilt (pictured but missed program); Missoula “Hell Gate Elks” Lodge 383 ~ Date Night Basket; Missoula Paddleheads; Missoula Scuba & Snorkel (Dive Missoula) ~ 4 Discover Scuba Pool Exp + 1 Padi Open Water Scuba Certification; Montana Honor Guard/Walking for the Fallen & PGA HOPE - In the Company of Heroes (Framed/signed artwork by Matt Hall), USMC saber, bookends & steel artwork; Morningstar, Jenna ~ "Best Self Relaxation" / LED Glass Aroma Diffuser gift basket; OnX ~ Subscriptions to Backcountry Elite Membership App Card (1) & Backcountry Premium Membership App Card (3); Pederson, Becky ~ Gift Basket; RMEF - Montana Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - Team Elk Backpack; RJS Engraving ~ Laser Artwork; RMMMH ~ War Themed Package; Rod Hope, Hope's Tools LLC, Snap-on Tools ~ Beach Themed Cooler Backpack (Hats, floaty, beach towel & beach supplies); Schlimgen, Isabella ~ Knitted Scarves; Stacked Stone Photography ~ Print (Missoula Alley) by Louis Matteau, Army Veteran; Star Shower Designs (Rella Lembke) ~ Jewelry; Stretch Wool; Tegart, Robert (RIP) ~ Handcrafted Castle; TruGreen of Missoula ~ $250 Gift Cert (Lawn Care Service); Taylor’s Lake Creek Cabins & Events Rentals ~ 2 Night Stay in Troy; TrailWest Bank (Frenchtown) ~ Picnic Swag & Cutlery Set; Two Dog Garage ~ Two Auto Care Buckets (2 Oil Changes each + Car Care Products); UM Golf Course ~ Gift Cert for 18 holes with Cart for 2 People; Verlanis ~ Gift Basket (Pending); VFW ~ Liquor Basket (Pending); Walmart ~ 2 "Made in Montana" Gift Baskets.
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TABLES in 2025 ~ Veteran Service Providers (VSP), Veteran-Friendly Employers (VFE), and Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP); American Legion of Montana ~ District 5, Posts 27, 68, 83 & 135; American Red Cross of Idaho, Montana & E. OR ~ Service to the Armed Forces and International Services-US; Army Reserve + HUMMER; Art and Movement Summer Camp + Kid's Activities; Be SMART ~ "Secure storage" + Gun Locks; Big Sky Life Support ~ VOB; Bitter Root Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Bitterroot Valley Military Program (BVMP); Braach Shepherds 4 Veterans; Canine Companions (no CC table, but Kristian discussed Montana K9 Care on stage); Century 21 Peak Properties, Diana Filkins ~ Missoula Montana Realtor; Edward Jones ~ James McKelvie, Financial Advisor & Navy Veteran; Hellman Insurance Agency; Housing Montana Heroes ~ The Poverello Center's Veteran Services Team; Marine Corps League (no table, but Bill was in the Honor Guard); Medicare Advocates / HUMANA; Missoula County Community Justice Department ~ Veteran Services & Watershed; Missoula “Hell Gate Elks” Lodge 383; Missoula Housing Authority (MHA); Missoula Scuba ~ VOB; Montana DPHHS ~ Vocational Rehab and Blind Services (VRBS); Montana Honor Guard/Walking for the Fallen ~ VOB / POW-MIA Table & PGA HOPE; Montana VA Health Care ~ 2-3 Peer Specialists; Beneficiary Travel; Congressional Liaison/Chief Compliance Officer; HUD VASH; M2VA; Patient Advocate (Veteran Experience); MVAD; Patriot Pin Up; Public Affairs Officer; VA Mental Health; VHA Eligibility/Enrollment; Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (Transitional Work/Community Based Employment); Montana Veterans Affairs Division (MVAD); Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA); Patriot Pin Up; Ravalli County Veterans Service Center; Red Willow Learning Center, Inc. ~ Heroes Therapeutic Outreach Program (HTOP); Serengeti Care; Sport Clips ~ VOB Franchise; VA Mobile Vet Center & Missoula Vet Center; Veterans Upward Bound (VUB); VFW; Walmart Supercenter (VFW, VSAP Water Table Host + Snacks & Swag + SA above!)
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USMC Recruiting ~ Volunteers!
The 2025 Heroes at Home BBQ & VSAP was SPECTACULAR…thank you so much!
