But the Air Guard was placed on alert almost immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, so the military unit reluctantly canceled its public service project.

Nevertheless, Plum Creek Timberlands Manager Joe Sanderson told the club that his firm would supply extra manpower, if needed, along with enough equipment and material to finish the task.

So while the Air Guard was doing its part defending the nation, 10 snowmobile club members teamed up with Plum Creek workers last Thursday to grade the trail leading to the crash site. ³I knew we¹d get volunteers. But with the tragedy of Sept. 11 and knowing that the Guard was on alert, the enthusiasm to finish this was even greater,² said club trustee Peter Pratt.

Three club members brought heavy equipment to the site, and Indian Hill Trading Post loaned its Bobcat loader to the club and paid an employee to run it during the work session.

On Jan. 23, 1963, a B-52 bomber on a routine training mission crashed at Elephant Mountain, killing seven of out the nine members aboard. Ironically, the crew was practicing low-level flights in response to the Cuban missile crisis, which also put the nation on edge during the John F. Kennedy administration.

The land was sold by Scott Paper Co. to Plum Creek a few years ago, and timber harvesting and salvage is prohibited on the 14 acres surrounding the site. Still, that doesn¹t keep people from occasionally taking souvenirs of the downed aircraft, Pratt noted. ³The Air Guard plans to make directional signs leading to the trail, and hopefully they¹ll put some up advising folks that this is a living memorial, and to treat the site with respect,² said Pratt.