Attendees talk Trump, treatment of veterans at Make America Great Again gathering

HELENA - In what was a mix of support for President Donald Trump and his administration and speaking out for first responders and the military, Montanans gathered in Helena on Saturday for an event in concert with Make America Great Again Marches happening across the country.

Memorial Park played to about 50 attendees for a potluck and discussion inspired by the national marches. National organizers pushed events in at least one city in every state and in Washington D.C., saying on the website magamarch.org “It is about time we stand up for America.”

Organizers of the Montana gathering decided against marching, choosing instead to converse about the political topics of the day and offer a few short speeches. The election, the media, treatment of veterans and first responders and immigration all sparked discussions.

Jim Buterbaugh, who has been outspoken on immigration issues and against refugee resettlement in Montana, helped organize Saturday’s event, although said it was not a protest.

“The main idea is to try to get people together, to have them talking to each other to try work toward solving problems instead of battling all the time,” he said. “You can disagree with them without getting in a fight … I hope we’ll remember this going forward.”

Buterbaugh said he was most interested in raising money and collecting goods for veterans, although he hoped a few more people would attend. In a previous interview he acknowledged some issues with Trump, but did vote for him given the choice of Hillary Clinton.

Others attended in clear support of the President and his policies, many feeling they had found someone who understood them and was on their side.

“We finally do have someone who appears to be our man,” one speaker said, adding that the discord in the country risked “blood in the streets” under a history of suppressive government.

Joe Davinson delivered the fieriest speech of the afternoon, pacing across the Memorial Park amphitheater recounting the battle inspiring the writing of the Star Spangled Banner before the crowd joined him in singing the national anthem.

Susan and Nathan Shields attended the event with their family.

Susan offered a monetary donation to the Montana Veterans Foundation, saying “I wanted show support for our veterans and support for the organizations that help them.” She recounted her immigration from Canada, which she says took about three years, and agrees with Trump’s efforts to bolster immigration scrutiny and border security.

Nathan took issue with some characterizations of Trump supporters as racist or homophobic, saying those are not beliefs he shares.

“We support our veterans and people who are truly in need, and we support Trump and Pence, and we really want to see the violence stop,” Nathan said. “We want to see people come together for a common goal and that’s the biggest reason me and my family came.”

Frustration with the treatment of veterans and first responders brought some passionate words.

“Our veterans are being shunned,” one woman told the crowd. “I don’t think that’s fair. Our veterans should have everything they need.”

Davinson offered a more positive perspective on veteran issues, noting that the Senate unanimously voted for the confirmation of David Shulkin as the secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“This country is turning around, it really is folks,” he said.