Commemorating Military Personnel

Just in time for Memorial Day, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) affiliated with Post 109 in Turner, Montana, completed their Dog Tags to Honor Military Personnel project. On Monday, May 22, twenty signs appeared on Main Street across from the American Legion Hall. Inspired by a similar project in Carbon County, the ALA brought the idea to town as a way to thank and recognize veterans that are still living.

While Turner residents Kirsti and Max Cederberg were visiting relatives in Red Lodge, they admired the thousands of crosses and dog tags that line Highway 212. "I wanted to see us honor our veterans in a similar way," Kirsti said. "Not when they are gone, but while they're still here. Unfortunately, we lost three of our veterans while we were working on this project over the past year."

Over a year ago, Kirsti inquired with a community organization in Roberts, Montana, and was able to secure the pattern for the dog tags. The metal for the signs was donated by Pacific Steel and Recycling in Havre, and KC Auto Paint donated the paint. The ALA paid for the metal to be cut into the shape of dog tags, while Max did all the painting and Scott Warren welded stakes with secure footing onto them so they could withstand Turner's wind.

According to Kirsti, a special fund paid for the construction of the signs. "We had memorial money from Elinor Warren and Adrienne Hutton that we used to construct the dog tags. When the person honored by the sign passes, the sign will go to the family," she explained.

The twenty signs standing on Main Street represent American Legion Post 109 members or veterans who live on the Big Flat.