The Patriot Guard Riders brandished American flags on the curb of Airport Boulevard in Aurora on Sunday, beckoning passers-by to visit a simple yellow tent in an otherwise open field.
By Memorial Day 2007, it is to be the site of the Colorado Freedom Memorial, a 125-foot-long glass structure that will list the more than 6,000 Colorado veterans who died or went missing while serving their country.
This holiday weekend, a makeshift memorial sits under the tent where families can place photographs and flowers for their lost.
“We want to introduce where it’s going to be and have people come out and tell their stories,” said Rick Crandall, president of the memorial’s foundation.
Six years ago, Crandall was walking through the Normandy American Cemetery in France when he realized 88 of the 9,387 headstones listed names of Coloradans.
“The notion these Colorado soldiers should be brought home stuck in my head,” Crandall said.
The 14-foot-tall memorial will list soldiers who died in every war since Colorado became a state, from the Spanish-American War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. A panel will be added each Memorial Day as new names are discovered.
Glass walls will lean backward and forward to symbolize the fallen soldiers, and the top will be ridged to reflect the Rocky Mountains, Crandall said.
Michelle Trullinger posted memorials for three soldiers who have passed away since March. She and her sister are members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that often holds flags at military funerals and shields mourners from protesters.
“Taking an hour or two of our time is nothing compared to their sacrifice,” said Trullinger, 36, nodding toward their names.
The boots and helmet of Lance Cpl. Thomas Slocum – the first Coloradan killed in Iraq – sat on the ground, covered by carnations. Names and birthdates of more than 90 missing soldiers were scribbled on index cards.
Joyce Keegan, 74, was one passer-by who stopped to check out the makeshift memorial. She had visited her husband’s grave at Fort Logan National Cemetery the day before.
“There should be a bigger crowd – it’s important,” Keegan said. “People who have never been in the military have no idea what they go through, even if they don’t go to war.”
Near the handful of people reflecting on the memorial stood future Marine Byron Alfortish dressed in camouflage. A member of Castle Rock Young Marines, he knows someday he will serve, just like the soldiers on the wall.
“They did their duty, and died for their country,” Alfortish, 16, said. “Then I’ll do the same.”
Staff writer Julianne Bentley can be reached at jbentley@denverpost.com.
Memorial Day closures
Today is the official holiday observance for Memorial Day.
Banks: Closed
Schools: Closed statewide
City, county and state offices: Closed
State and federal courts: Closed statewide
RTD: All buses and light rail run on a Sunday/holiday schedule. For information, call 303-299-6000 or visit www.rtd-denver.com.
Trash pickup: Trash collection and recycling services in Denver will operate on a one-day-delayed holiday schedule.
Parking meters in Denver: Free
Events
Ceremony: The annual ceremony honoring Japanese-American World War II Veterans, conducted by American Legion Nisei Post No. 185, will be at 11 a.m. on Block 35 in Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St.
Parade: Commerce City’s 42nd annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at East 64th Avenue and Newport Street, travel west on 64th to Holly Street, move south on Holly to 62nd Avenue and will continue west on 62nd Avenue to Parkway Drive. The parade will be about two to three hours long. This year’s grand marshals will be William Barnard and Lou Jarramillo. The wreath-laying ceremony will be in front of the Veterans Memorial. For information, call 303-289-3600.
Picnic: A community picnic will be from 4 to 7 p.m. in front of the Fairmount Mausoleum in Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St. Take a meal and lawn chairs or blankets. The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra will perform at 4 p.m. at the steps of Fairmount’s Mausoleum. The Queen City Jazz Band will perform at 6 p.m. In case of rain, concerts will be moved indoors.
Ceremony: Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 Sheridan Blvd., is having a service at 11 a.m. at the flagpole. The program will include music by the Littleton Community band, a traditional wreath laying and a Memorial Day address followed by a release of white doves. Scheduled speakers include Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., and Col. David Ziegler, 460th Space Wing Commander. A flyover will be provided by Buckley Air Force Base. In case of inclement weather, services will be moved to the VFW Post 9644 at 2680 W. Hampden Ave.
Ceremony: The Marine Corps Memorial Association is having a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Marine Corps Memorial at the intersection of U.S. 6 and U.S. 40 in Golden. The keynote speaker will be Colorado Treasurer Mike Coffman, who served in the Army and is a retired major of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Ceremony: Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, is having a Memorial Day Tribute program at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, at 11 a.m. The Centennial State Pipes and Drums will perform, and the program will conclude with a dove release.
