Our 'Place That Started Out As Heaven'

Dear Editor:

We have recently gone through a bitter conflict and unpleasant reactions to efforts to preserve native, beautifully pristine lands along the upper Milk River in north Montana.

A century ago, our most famous historic figure in Montana made a statement that still holds remarkably true for such preserved and remarkable regions.

Artist Charlie Russell observed the following: “Guard, protect and cherish your land, for there is no afterlife for a place that started out as Heaven.”

That observation applies to the badlands area along the upper Milk River as well as a number of other remarkably unique scenic and historic locations in Montana.

We should take Russell’s remark seriously and make a strenuous effort to preserve such sites as was recently done with the upper Milk River region.

Bill Thackeray

Havre