On December 14, 1961, near the intersection of County Road 53 and County Road 42, outside of Greeley, a school bus was hit as it crossed the railroad tracks. There were 36 children on board. Twenty of them were killed when the train hit the bus, splitting it in two.
"I watched the glass fly. I watched the roof come down on the kids," said Gary Munson, who survived the crash. "I could see the bus rolling, but couldn't hear it or feel it. It became quiet and dark, after the train hit."
Up until now, Munson and many other survivors haven't shared their story. Many community members remained quiet and grieved only in private.
"It was a very different time, back then," said Randy Geisick, who also survived the crash.
"Nobody ever really talked about it," added Munson.
But then, the Rocky Mountain news did an in-depth series on the accident. The series was simply called "The Crossing." Timothy Geisick read the articles. They inspired him to build a memorial to the children who died on that fateful day.
"The thing that bothered me when I was out here by myself is the children need to be remembered, in the place where it happened."
One year after the accident, the railroad crossing was removed. A 2-and-a-halfton granite memorial now stands at that very spot.
"We never thought it would happen," said Loretta Ford. Her son, Jimmy, was killed in the crash. "Years have passed by… It's been a long time."
Juanita Larson also lost her son, Steve, in the accident. She thinks this new memorial will give a new sense of healing, despite the passing decades.
"It puts a real personal touch that everybody will remember,"Larson said.
Visiting the memorial will be a way to remember her son; one that she'll add to what's become a tradition every time she sees a train.
"I always say a prayer," said Larson.
