You can acknowledge the service of others by planting a Buddy Poppy in your lapel this Memorial Day.
But there are other ways to honor battles of the past. We’ve picked a few evocative spots to visit and consider the sacrifice and struggle people made to stand up for what they believed is right.
Designated as the day that we pay tribute to our war dead, Memorial Day is technically the soldiers’ domain. And there are huge bronze statues planted all over the state where you can doff your cap on Decoration Day and honor their ultimate sacrifice. But there are many ways that civilians and soldiers have given and will give service to this country, and as many ways to pay tribute to their valor.
Global War on Terrorism Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial
Where: Kit Carson Park, outside Fort Carson Gate 1, on Colorado 115 southwest of Colorado Springs.
What you’ll see: Five arched panels of buff Colorado flagstone bearing the names of soldiers from Fort Carson and Colorado reserve and National Guard members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the memorial went up in 2004, 208 names have been inscribed. Another 12 will soon be added.
Why it matters: War is not an abstract historical concept; men and women continue to offer their lives in service to our country.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Where: East 58th Avenue at Havana Street, Commerce City
What you’ll see there: During World War II and again during the early years of the Cold War, the 30- square-mile compound was used as a chemical weapons factory. After a $2.2 billion cleanup, the property now is a wildlife refuge, but the visitor center, open 7:30 a.m..4 p.m. weekends and Tuesdays and Wednesdays, pays tributes to the war work and the people who did it. You can take a guided tour of the refuge that runs past bunkers and housing used by soldiers.
Why it matters: War efforts swept up civilians too.
Grenada Relocation Center
Where: 23900 County Road FF, at the southwest edge of Granada
What you’ll see: The ruins of one of 10 camps built to imprison Japanese-Americans – most born on U.S. soil – during World War II. At its peak, Camp Amache, as it was also known, held nearly 8,000 people relocated from the West Coast because of “military necessity” and was the 10th-largest city in Colorado. The National Historic Landmark includes a cemetery and some interpretive signage.
Why it matters: We need reminding that civil liberties erode easily during times of fear.
The Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail
Where: Five miles west of Glenwood Springs on Interstate 70. Take the Canyon Creek exit 109 and go east on the Frontage Road. It ends at the trailhead.
What you’ll see: On this 4-mile out-and-back hike, you’ll see bronze tributes to 14 firefighters who died during the Storm King Mountain fire in 1994, plus get a sense of how difficult the work of fighting wildland fires is.
Why it matters: We ask much of the men and women who protect us, our homes and lands while fighting fire.
Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park
Where: Colorado Welcome Center, Fruita
What you’ll see: Dedicated in 2003, this memorial features a static Huey helicopter, black granite panels inscribed with the names of Western Slope veterans who served between 1959 and 1975, and a bronze statue of a father figure welcoming home his soldier.
Why it matters: Vietnam was incredibly devisive and many returning veterans came home in shame. We need to remember to value the service of soldiers, even in an unpopular war.
Colorado Veterans Monument
Where: Across from the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol, in Denver’s Civic Center Park.
What you’ll see: A huge sandstone obelisk that honors all veterans.
Why it matters: Until there are no more wars, we need places that memorialize the dead and pay tribute to the living.
