The Harlem News

Open House for Public Dedication to be Feb. 19 For New Chinook Armory

Formal dedication ceremonies made by Lt. Don Harshman. The address will then be delivered by Gen. S. H. Mitchell of Guard Armory have been set for as Troop H. 2nd Recon Squadron Helena, Adjutant General for the State of Montana. The prayer of dedication will be given by Rev. N. K. Estrem, pastor of the Chinook American Lutheran church.

Friday evening of next week, Feb. 19, with the ceremony starting at 7:30 o'clock. The general public Greetings from the Secretary of the Army will be read by Capt. Upshaw, and the history of the unit will be given by Lt. William Waugh. Introduction of the contractors will be by William Kuhr of Great Falls, a former Chinook resident and a member of the firm of Kuhr and Davidson, architects who designed the building. Introduction of guests will be by Capt. Upshaw, and the dedication address will be given by Lt. Don Harshman.

The evening program will start with the Chinook high school band playing the National Anthem. Father Francis Weidinger, pastor of St. Gabriel's church in Chinook will then give the invocation. Capt. Joseph Upshaw, commander of the Chinook National Guard unit, will give the welcome, and introduction of personnel of the Chinook unit will be given.

Following the program, Open House will be held and coffee and cookies will be served. Ranking Army personnel who have indicated they will be present for the dedication include Major General S. H. Mitchell of Helena, Adjutant General of Montana; Col. Howard McKinney of Culbertson, commanding officer of the 163rd Cavalry Regiment; Lt. Col. Howard Nelson of Bozeman, commanding officer of the 2nd Squadron, 163rd AC; Lt. Col. Harry Thode of Helena, property and field officer; Lt. Col. Overturff of Bozeman, executive officer of the 163rd AC; Lt. Col. Orville Christensen, Commandant, Montana State Officer Candidate School, and Maj. John J. Womack of Dillon, executive officer of the 2nd Squadron, 163rd AC. Many members from around the state are also expected to be present.

General contractor for the building was the Hugo T. Schellin Construction Company of Chinook. Cost of the building was $83,538. The new building, located just east of Chinook across from the sugar factory, is of concrete block and glue-laminated beam construction. It houses offices, drill hall, classrooms, kitchen, supply room and locker and shower facilities.

Contractors who worked on the building, all of whom are expected to be present for the dedication, are Hugo T. Schellin Construction Company of Chinook, general contractor; Paulson Hardware of Electric of Chinook, electrical; Chinook Heating and Equipment, plumbing and heating; Home Furnishing and Electric of Chinook, glass work and floor tile; Olson Glass and Paint of Havre, painting; Hanson Sheet Metal and Roofing of Havre, roofing; H. C. Conner of Chinook excavation, and Willis Morris and Jack DePriest, both of Chinook, gravel fill.

The 163rd Armored Cavalry, of which Chinook unit is a member, was formed on Feb. 6, 1886, and was then known as the Territorial served in Indian campaigns, the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine Insurrection. It also served in the Mexican-Border campaign and was then known as the 2nd Montana Infantry. While serving in World War I the name of the unit was changed on Aug. 5, 1917, to the 163rd Infantry Regiment. During World War II the unit served in the South and Western Pacific. In the spring of 1947 the name was changed to the 163rd Regiment the spring of 1953 the name was changed to the 163rd Armored Cavalry, the designation presently held.

Campaign streamers won by the unit include Manila and Malolos during the Philippine Insurrection; World War I; and Papua, New Guinea (with Arrowhead), Luzon, and Southern Philippines (with Arrowhead), during World War II. Decorations include the Distinguished Unit Streamer, and the Presidential Unit Citation. (Opinion ed Papua, Philippine Presidential/photo).

Army National Guard. 163rd Armored Cavalry. Montana