Montana State dedicates new park to U.S. veterans

BOZEMAN - Around 150 people gathered at Montana State University for the dedication of the revitalized Veterans Park, located between Romney Hall, the Strand Union Building and the Student Wellness Center - an area MSU President Brock Tessman described during the ceremony as "the heartbeat of our campus."

"This is quickly becoming a high-traffic area," Tessman said of the swath of campus adjacent to Grant Street that recently reopened as a pedestrian-only campus corridor. "This location is perfectly suited for our Veterans Park. It's an opportunity for students, even if they have no connection to the military, to spend a moment to recognize those who served and to spend a moment reflecting what it means to serve to the community, to the state, to the country."

MSU's Veterans Park formerly featured a flagpole, tables and a sign demarking the site. Upgraded during the renovation of the Grant Street corridor, it now features two flagpoles - one flying the American flag and the other the Montana state flag - and seven stone pillars that represent the six U.S. military branches, prisoners of war and those missing in action. A stone wall sits in front of the pillars, providing a space to reflect for veterans, active service members and all who have loved ones who have served.

"Notably, Montana State University has also been repeatedly recognized as one of the top 10 military-friendly campuses in the entire country," Tessman said. "So, in a number of ways, we're living our connections to veterans and our support for veterans not only through the park but also through the way in which we support our veterans in the classroom and outside of the classroom."

Lynne Gormley, a civil engineering major in MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, served in the Air Force Security Forces for nearly 12 years.

"I was honored to serve in Italy, Afghanistan and up north in Great Falls, Montana, in 2019," Gormley said during the dedication. "I love to see the progression in the completion of what [Veterans Park] is today. This is an area for everyone to honor the veterans who have served and reflect on the freedoms that we have, the sacrifices that were paid and inspiration for the next generation to serve in whatever capacity they see fit."

Planning for Veterans Park began about two years ago, with funds earmarked for the project in 2019 as part of a broader effort to transform Grant Street into a pedestrian mall and walkway. The revitalized Veterans Park now stands as a more prominent and meaningful tribute to veterans, including those within the MSU community, according to Todd Bucher, director of MSU's Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center.

"This park honors not only the legacy of those who have served, but also the living vibrant community of veterans and military-connected students that shape Montana State University," Bucher said.

This fall, MSU enrolled about 700 students who receive veteran benefits, which is a 21% increase from 2024. The university was also one of the top 10 military-friendly schools in the nation for the fifth year in a row, recognized for qualities such as veteran and military-connected student resources, financial aid, career outcomes and retention.

"I am so proud to be a part of a country that values our veterans and allows them the opportunity to extend their education when they come back to start the next chapter of their life and to bring those benefits into the next steps wherever they choose to go," said Matt Caires, MSU's dean of students. "So many of those veterans choose Montana State University to extend their opportunities to learn and grow and to pursue their college degree, and that's really what we're here to celebrate today. This park will help us remember those we have lost, those who have returned and those that will launch into their future."

The ceremony included a student musical performance by Noah Bromberg, a music education major, and Brian Belluscio, a data science major; as well as two performances by Opera Montana Veterans Chorus, including the national anthem and a medley of the military branch songs.

Frankie Beer contributed to this story.