Letters to the Editor
White crosses remind us to drive carefully
As you travel Montana highways, you may have noticed the white crosses. They are not meant to have any religious meaning, nor are they memorial markers. The white markers are “Highway Fatality Markers” installed and maintained by local Montana American Legion Posts in Montana.
The 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/her life. One white marker is erected for each traffic accident.
Not all highway fatalities are marked. Not all of the American Legion Posts in Montana currently participate in the program. Some areas of Montana do not have a local American Legion Post. Sometimes the local Legion may not know about a fatality. Because of these reasons many stretches of Montana highways do not have fatality markers where a fatal accident has occurred. A family member may request to erect a marker if a maker is not present.
Many families place wreaths or other decorations on the white crosses, which may be considered a memorial to a loved one lost in an accident. Obstruction of the white marker with these decorations defeats the purpose of the safety program. Placing the wreaths or decorations by the right-away fence leaves the markers unobstructed.
The labor, gas, and materials for the erection and maintenance of the markers are provided by the American Legion and its members. No tax dollars are used. Thank you, JE Soares, Inc., in Belgrade for donating the crosses used in the Belgrade and Bozeman area.
Drive safely, not just during the winter months and holidays, but every time you are in the driver’s seat. The Highway Fatality Markers are there to remind you to drive carefully.
Jim Bratsky Bozeman, Montana
Thanks to those who helped celebrate Veterans Day
This past Veterans Day was an extremely special week for us veterans and our families. There were more special events, school participation, and community recognition than ever before.
On behalf of all of our veteran organizations and our families, we thank all of you for taking the time and effort to show us your care and appreciation during the three days leading up to November 11, 2017.
To see all of our young Americans (K thru 12) sing, salute, hands on hearts, passing out letters, high-fives, etc. was truly rewarding. Gallatin Gateway, Longfellow, Meadowlark, CJMS, SAC, Monforton, Belgrade High, Manhattan High we express our gratitude for your hard work in preparing such excellent programs. For the free meals provided by the Gallatin Republican Women’s at Sidewinders, Applebee’s, Olive Garden, IHOP, Dahl, and the American Legion Post 14 we really appreciated your generosity. It is expression like this that makes us feel like, yeah it was worth fighting and supporting our great United States of America.
Along with our community we also want to thank our media, paper, TV, radio, for getting the word out. We really appreciate all of you and God bless our men and women currently serving to protect our wonderful country.
Len Albright
BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE