A volunteer panel charged with creating a memorial for Colorado soldiers killed in the war on terrorism has met just once since it was founded nearly two years ago — and its chairman apparently is missing.
Lawmakers want the chairman, former state Rep. Rafael Gallegos, to resign from the panel. But they can’t find him. Gallegos, a Democrat from Antonito, has refused to answer calls or messages. He lost a primary in August and retired from public service.
Legislators crafted a bill creating the War on Terror Fallen Heroes Memorial Commission in 2007. Gov. Bill Ritter signed it into law on Memorial Day weekend that year before dozens of war veterans and families of the fallen. The panel was to raise funds and select a design for a memorial in a park near the state Capitol.
Dan Dietz, father of Danny Dietz, a Navy commando from Littleton who was killed in Afghanistan, who was appointed to the commission, said the panel met only once, last year. He said its only accomplishment was to appoint Gallegos chairman and adjourn with plans to meet later.
