Gianforte honors Follett for years of service
Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte recognized Doug Follett of Whitefish with his Spirit of Montana commendation for serving 70 years as an ambassador of Glacier National Park and Montana to the millions of visitors who visit the park each year.
Known as “Ranger Doug,” Follett has guided countless visitors through Glacier National Park as a seasonal interpretive ranger for 58 seasons, often sharing poems he’s authored in tribute to the park.
Gianforte’s Spirit of Montana is a weekly recognition of Montanans for their accomplishments, dedication, or service. Gianforte highlights the recipient in the U.S. House of Representatives and personally contacts the honorees.
Gianforte encourages anyone to nominate Montanans for the Spirit of Montana award by contacting his office at 202-225-3211 or by email at https://gianforte.house.gov/contact/email.
Gianforte’s statement in the Congressional Record follows:
RECOGNIZING DOUG FOLLETT OF WHITEFISH
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Doug Follett of Whitefish for guiding countless visitors through Glacier National Park, one of our nation’s natural wonders, for 70 years.
Ranger Doug has spent decades in and around Glacier National Park. His family moved to Whitefish, Montana when he was a toddler, and he’s made the area his home ever since. Before working at Glacier National Park, he worked for the railroad and served the United States in the Air Force during World War II. He began working seasonally in Glacier National Park during the summer while he taught high school history in the winter.
Ranger Doug has spent 58 seasons as an interpretive ranger in Glacier National Park, making him one of the longest-serving employees of the National Park Service. He has led thousands of visitors through trails in the park’s expansive forests and beautiful glacier-carved mountains and valleys.
Ranger Doug greets visitors with a fist bump and is known for reciting his original poetry dedicated to the park. An ambassador of Glacier National Park, he shares his knowledge and experience with the thousands of visitors he guides each year. Those who cross Ranger Doug’s path each season walk away from Glacier with his infectious passion and enthusiasm for the park.
A well-known figure in Glacier National Park and in the community, Ranger Doug has no plans to slow down and retire anytime soon, saying, “I’ll never know until it’s over.”
Many more stories and experiences will come from those who cross paths with Ranger Doug.
Madam Speaker, for serving 70 years as an ambassador of Glacier National Park and Montana to the millions of visitors who visit the park each year, I recognize Ranger Doug Follett for his spirit of Montana.