Sons of the American Legion Re-Paint Highway Fatality Markers in Blaine County On July 15th, members of the Sons of the American Legion gave a facelift to the highway fatality markers between Chinook and the Blaine/Hill County line. Throughout the state, these white crosses mark the sites of fatal traffic accidents along the highways of Montana. For over 50 years, they have reminded passing motorists of the dangers of the road as well as the lives that have been lost on these highways. Photo 1 - About 10 miles west of Chinook, Roger Fischer re-paints a fatality marker with a white cross and a red post. The Montana American Legion White Cross Highway Fatality Marker Program began in 1953; however, this safety program was not acknowledged in writing until a Letter of Instruction was signed by the Director of the Montana Department of Transportation in 2001. In 2007, the name of the program was changed from the White Cross to the Fatality Marker Program. The white markers serve as a public service message, reminding drivers to Please Drive Carefully. They are a sobering reminder of a fatal traffic accident, a place where a human being lost his or her life. Since the White Cross Programs inception over 50 years ago, it is estimated that over 2,000 fatality markers have been erected along Montanas highways; this represents a cemetery of over 5 acres. Not all of the 134 Posts in Montana currently participate in the program and some areas of Montana do not have a local American Legion Post. Because of these reasons, some stretches of Montana highways do not have fatality markers where a fatal accident has occurred. Also, when a highway is reconstructed and corrects what may have been the cause of the fatality, the markers may be removed, unless requested to remain by the family. In addition, a family may request that a fatality marker not be erected at the site of a death. No tax money is used in the fabrication, erection, or maintenance of the fatality markers. Photo 2 - Applying the finishing touches to a fatality marker at the Herschel Fox Memorial Bridge west of Chinook. This was the first time that the local Sons of the American Legion has assisted the Legion in maintaining the fatality markers. In the coming weeks, more of the highway fatality markers in Blaine County will be re-painted as time and circumstances allow. Roger Fischer, whose grandfather and namesake served in the U.S. Army, said that participating in this endeavour was one small thing that he could do in order to help remind people to drive safely: “While we were painting the markers, it really dawned on me that people died here, at this spot. I also noticed that as cars were passing by, a few of them whizzed along without a care in the world, blowing up dust and shaking the ground. But most drivers slowed way down and continued to drive more carefully after they passed. It was good to see that we were doing something that might make people slow down and think about how they are driving so that an accident might not happen.” Founded in 1932, Sons of The American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires. Members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership. Members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion comprise the Legion Family, which has a combined membership of nearly 4.2 million. Although Sons of the American Legion has its own membership, the organization is not a separate entity; rather, Sons of The American Legion is a program of The American Legion and many Legionnaires hold dual membership in Sons of The American Legion. If you are the son or grandson of a veteran or active service member and would like to participate in similar community projects, contact Your local Legion post in order to discuss membership in Sons of the American Legion.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 05:42:38 +0000
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