Helping Children Brings Joy, Comfort to Three Generations of Crossing Guards

Helping children safely cross Milan’s streets has become a family tradition for the Haag and Blackburn family, with three generations serving as crossing guards while supporting one another through illness, loss and life’s challenges. Four members of the family serve as Milan’s fulltime crossing guards at key spots across Milan City. The quartet of community helpers offer smiles, daily cheer and sometimes a visit from one of their own geese or cats who live on their farm just outside the city. Drivers smile from their cars and wave as they drove by the crossing guards after school, a pleasantry their supervisor, School Resource Officer Brandan Marshall appreciates. “I just pass by and they are waving,” Marshall said. “Everyone’s waving at them, everyone knows them.”