By Emily Stifler
On Friday, January 7, U.S. Senator Jon Tester
and Montana Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger
visited Big Sky as part of a banquet honoring
wounded warriors and veterans. The banquet
was an opening celebration for the first annual
Operation SAS-Operation Never Forgotten.
In a speech welcoming veterans to Big Sky, Tester
said Montana has the second highest number
of veterans per capita in the nation. “Anyone
who spends time in these mountains will tell
you that you can find yourself here. You will
never replace what was lost, but this will help in
its own way.”
Congress, Tester said, has “come a long way in
recent years. From better funding for health care
for wounded veterans, to improving access for
care in rural areas, we have made some strides…
For that, I credit the veterans who spoke up.”
In a conversation following the banquet, Lieutenant
Governor Bohlinger said, “It was a privilege
it was to sit and visit with [the veterans]…
It’s quite an undertaking to raise the money that
would bring 48 people from all over the country
to Big Sky and help them live out some of their
dreams. I love the generous spirit of those that
contributed. What a wonderful thing that it
could be held at Big Sky. Is there a more beautiful
place on the face of this earth?”
Bohlinger added: “My wife, Karen, has a son
who is a wounded warrior, so this touches our
hearts in a special way.”
