Local Vets lead Highway Marker Memorial Program

Dale McGee, US Army veteran, and Bill Brazil, US Navy veteran, members of the Whitehall American Legion Post 24 have been instrumental in managing the Montana American Legion White Cross Highway Fatality Marker Program in our region for more than a decade, having placed over 50 markers along our roadways during that time. The program, which started in 1953, was the brainchild of Floyd Eaheart of Missoula. The Hellgate American Legion Post 27 member came up with the idea after six lives were lost on Montana roadways over the 1952 Labor Day holiday.

The Montana Highway Commission, now the Montana Department of Transportation, approved the program in January 1953, with the blessing of then Gov. J. Hugo Aronson. There are now over 3,330 highway fatality markers in the state of Montana. Each must be bendable and crash-proof so as not to cause injury if struck by a vehicle. They can be no more than 54 inches tall, including the mounting post.

The fatality marker program is in danger of becoming a thing of the past as the veterans who place and maintain the crosses age and there are fewer veterans taking it over. If you are a veteran and a member of the American Legion, or are willing to join, and are willing to keep the program alive, please contact Kristian Richardson at (406) 595-6218 or Kristian.Richardson@gmail.com.

Finally, people who have lost a family member in a vehicle crash who do not have an American Legion Fatality Marker at the site should contact Kristian as well.