Amer. Legion Jr.'s Participate In Awareness Event

Young and dedicated youth of the American Legion Juniors, Samme Gibbs, Denvyr and Lauren Tuss, on both short notice and zero budget worked over five hours for a combined energy donation of 25 hours to create and erect a poster to welcome the bike riders of the American Legion on their 1000 miles in 24-hour trek across the state.

With the assistance of two American Legion members, their poster was 20 feet long with the logo chosen by the youth it read: "CHOOSE LIFE". The "i" in LiFE had the semicolon, a symbol of someone who has tried to commit suicide. The poster was in patriotic red, white, and blue. A flag was draped between the two message words. Across the top of the sign, metallic pinwheels whirled in the ever so present Montana "breeze" and hanging on the bottom of the sign were butterflies (also in patriotic colors) which are the symbol of new life.

The sign was erected with the courtesy and permission of and between Horizon Resources and Farmers and Ranchers lumber yard on Hwy 2. A thank you is extended to Horizon Resources, Farmers and Ranchers, Cohen Ereaux, and Tom Bedwell for their cooperation.

The project was to bring awareness and prevention of suicide, especially to the military - as 22 lives a day are lost due to suicide. The community has experienced its share of suicide and the hope and vision of the participation efforts are to give hope and options to anyone contemplating suicide.