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A Tree for Veterans

A group of equestrian-inclined members of the Flathead Valley saddled up to deliver a Christmas tree and gifts to residents of the Montana Veterans Home on Dec. 13, 2023. Veteran’s home volunteer Julie Bosa Platt spurred the spontaneous gesture with a call to friend John Manuel about doing something thoughtful for the residents. “I wanted to do something special and bring the Christmas spirit to them,” Platt said. Manuel and friends of friends answered the call with a striking Clydesdale to haul in a handsome tree on a festive wagon. Upon arrival of the tree and its accompanying horsemen and women, veterans wheeled and walked out of the home to help decorate the conifer, visit with the steeds, and receive a few holiday cigars and small bottles of whiskey.

Hunter D'Antuono
Flathead Valley community members deliver a Christmas tree and gifts via horseback to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Brian Jensen lifts a Christmas tree into the back of his horse-towed wagon for delivery to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec.13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Dan Holian, right, and Brian Jensen prep Stella the Clydesdale horse to deliver a Christmas tree to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec.13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Flathead Valley community members deliver a Christmas tree and gifts via horseback to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
John Manuel leads the Christmas tree procession to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec.13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Montana Veterans' Home residents and nurses line up outside the home to watch a Clydesdale tow in a Christmas tree on a wagon in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Army Air Force veteran Neil Holiday pets Stella the Clydesdale at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Army veteran Ames Powell, age 88, places ornaments on the Christmas tree delivered to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Montana Veterans' Home residents and nurses line up outside the home to watch a Clydesdale tow in a Christmas tree on a wagon in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Navy veteran Ken Kivler, age 98, rolls outside the Montana Veterans' home to help decorate a Christmas tree delivered by community members on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Army veteran and Montana Veterans Home resident John Owen is helped outside to decorate a Christmas tree in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Jeremy Myers enjoys a cigar from atop his horse before setting off to the Montana Veterans' Home to deliver gifts and a Christmas tree with fellow Flathead Valley community members on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
Montana Veterans' Home residents and caretakers come outside to decorate a Christmas tree in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon
The fully decorated Christmas tree delivered via horse and wagon by members of the community to the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 13, 2023. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon

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