On Saturday, May 17, the local Columbia Falls American Legion Post 72 will be out scraping and painting the fatality crosses from Highway 40 at the river eastward on U.S. 2 to Coram. Many of these crosses are in dire need of good paint, and several will be replaced.

During our early morning get together, we will clean the Veterans Memorial Wall in Marantette Park in Columbia Falls, which was constructed by our fellow Veterans of Foreign Wars vets, and will then branch out to the crosses.

Because of this work, we ask you to drive carefully if you see us, and remember why we do this. Each marker, as they are now called, is a poignant reminder that one of our friends, or sister, or brother, or even mother or father was taken in a tragic accident, as was my own brother.

Please be careful out there, as we have way too many crosses in our area.

Mike Shepard, Post Commander

Columbia Falls American Legion Post 72