“We Shall Never Forget…”
©Bert Gildart: The sign in back of Jim Marshall and Sheldon Wickersham, two Creston, Montana, firefighters, summarizes the feeling of virtually all Americans. “We Shall Never Forget Our Brothers.”
The display created by men and women of this volunteer firefighting department has been a ritual here in this tiny settlement since the year 2002. Every year now for the past 13 years members of the Creston Fire Department stand throughout the day symbolizing a time when virtually all Americans suffered and came together.
Creston Firefighters L to R: Jim Marshall, Sheldon Wichersham
All of us know exactly where we were that day in 2001 and can tell you what we were doing. In our case, friends from Texas had just climbed Chief Mountain in Glacier National Park and they were staying with us. Janie was watching TV and when she saw the jet planes fly into the World Trade Center she ran downstairs where our friends were sleeping and told them they’d better get upstairs to see the TV. One of our friends, David Bristol, looked at her and said, “Janie, we’re at war.”
Janie and I also remember that in 1991, we honey mooned at the World Trade Center.
I realize that other towns throughout America are also recalling this day of infamy, but we are immensely proud and pleased that the tiny settlement in which we live is making such a grand presentation throughout the day.
They’re right, “We Shall Never Forget…”
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THIS TIME SEPTEMBER 11, 2008:
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
