Gianforte, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Mark Flag Sojourn 250 at Capitol

Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard at the Peace Officers Memorial on the Montana State Capitol grounds March 23 to raise and lower a single American flag traveling every state as part of the Flag Sojourn 250 initiative.

The 10 a.m. ceremony at Flag Plaza brought together Gianforte, the Montana 250th Commission, and the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association to mark Montana's participation in the nationwide effort led by the National Flag Foundation and America250. The initiative is sending one flag to every U.S. state, territory, and 26 military cemeteries across ten countries ahead of the country's Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026.

"In Montana, we value the Constitution, freedom, and the enduring promise of this great nation," Gianforte said. "As this flag travels across the country to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, it serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to protect our liberties and the responsibility to preserve them for future generations."

Sheriff Dutton framed the moment in broader terms. "The Flag Sojourn 250 is more than a journey, it is a solemn Sojourn," Dutton said. "The Flag Sojourn 250 honors our nation's most prized symbol and pays tribute to all our countrymen and women, including those who have given their lives in service to the ideals the flag represents."

The flag completed its travel to all U.S. territories and military cemeteries on October 8, 2025, and is now in its final stretch visiting each state. Montana's stop was followed by Wyoming, with the journey set to conclude in Washington, D.C. in July 2026, when the flag will be formally presented to the America 250th Committee and raised in the nation's capital as a salute to national unity.