Distinctly Montana Magazine

75 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m A VOLUNTEER EFFORT Perhaps one of the most in- credible aspects of the HFMP is the fact it receives absolute- ly no government funding. "We have a number of different scrap metal business- es that will allow us to go through their trash and pick out delineator posts that have been pulled out," explains 75-year-old Emett. "If they're not too bad, we can get them straightened out. The highway department can't use them, but we can." In addition to his membership in Montana American Legion Post #119 in Yellowstone County, Emett previous- ly served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force and completed tours in both Korea and Iraq. He began serving as chair- man of the program in June of 2022 under the guidance of his friend and mentor, former HFMP chairman and fellow Montana American Legion member, Jim Kelly. "Getting your hands on the crosses is a little bit harder," ac- knowledges Emett, who recently contributed hundreds of dollars of his own money to pay for 56 crosses to ensure the program con- tinues in his area. "All of the posts are all on their own with it." The crosses are limited to 12 inches wide and 16 inches long. "We have a guide as to how big they need to be and a lot of different people make them," says Long. Several years ago, an industrious Harlem High School student de- cided to help the program out as part of his school service project. "He cut out 50 markers with the plasma cutter in the shop and donated them to us," Long said. With salvaged and donated materials in hand, these veterans volunteer their time and strength to install and main- tain the posts and mark- ers on a regular basis all across the state. "As the coordina- tor, I go online every day and gather up in- formation on any fa- tality crashes that have taken place," explains Emett. He passes his findings on to all of the participating Montana American Legion posts every two weeks. "At some point when the ground isn't frozen, they go out and identify where the accident took place to the best of their ability, and then they have to go back and call 811 for a utilities check," he continues. "Once that's approved, they can go out and install the posts." They generally try to check and repair the markers on an an- nual basis. "Some spray paint, and others brush it on," says Long. "Brush- ing it on lasts longer." "People are always willing to do what they can to help," Emett adds of the group effort. "They're keeping this program going because they believe in it. These are really good people who re- ally care." TOP: US 191 Southbound between Boze- man and Big Sky. This intensely dangerous short section is approaching more than one fatality per mile. LEFT: US 287 near intersection of MT 87. A fatal crash occurred here in August of 2011. Members of American Legion Post #14, Bozeman Fatality Marker Team, (L-R) David Temkin (US Army), Gil Parker and Jeff Cade (US Navy), participate in maintenance and restoration. TOP: US 287 northbound between Norris and Ennis Near Mile Marker 55.

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