In Colorado, it appears we love our cars so much we’re more than willing to turn them into a decoration. This machine stands guard at a location in the north metro area; where is it? Send your guess to coloradosunday @denverpost.com, and include a digital photo of yourself. We’ll pick at least one tale to share next week. The best wins a $50 gas card.
How’d you know?
Gary Edelmaier, Berthoud
The carved soldier is one of many tree carvings in the City Park in Craig. The story is that when one of the park trees died, instead of removing it an artist came in and carved it. As more trees died, more carvings were made. This eventually turned into a festival.
The soldier guards the “Marcia,” which was the private railroad car of David Moffat. Named after his daughter, it has beds, restrooms, a kitchen and an observation room. Moffat was an early Denver millionaire who had financial interests in banks, mines and railroads all over Colorado.
Craig was one of the stops on a field trip last summer by the Denver & Salt Lake Historical Society. The Denver & Salt Lake Railroad’s original name was the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific, which you can see on the side of the car. The route was also known as “The Moffat Road” and went from Denver to Craig via the Moffat Tunnel, Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Kremmling and Steamboat Springs.
Charles Watkins, Craig
The Minuteman stands watch over the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265, of which I am a member and past commander.
Every summer in Craig, we have an event called “Whittle the Woods.” Wood carvers from all over the state come to carve tree stumps in our City Park, which is adjacent to our VFW Post. We wanted something patriotic and symbolic of our freedom carved in front of our post. We decided on the Minuteman. We looked all over to try and find a good picture of a Minuteman, but had little success. In July 2004 I was in South Hamilton, Mass., for a memorial service for Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, whom I flew with in Vietnam and had remained friends with since our tour. While there I saw a beautiful figurine of a Minuteman that Mrs. Patton had sitting on a table. I asked her if I might take a few pictures. In June 2005, we gave the pictures to a carver and asked him if he would carve it for us.
Sherry Meineke, Las Vegas
This Minuteman is standing tall, guarding the home of the VFW Post 4265, on East Victory way. This particular carving was done by an artist from Utah.
Both my father and I are VFW members of this post. Often when I am home visiting my family, we go to the City Park to view and enjoy the newest wood carving. I have included a favorite photo of my father that I am so proud to send to you. He is a remarkable man and father.
