At the 2023 Memorial Day Tribute we honored many different veterans and military programs. From the likes of pilots, to an ROTC commander, to a Japanese language school, the BOLDERBoulder  was honored to recognize these individuals and programs. 

The 2023 Tribute began by honoring the life of Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Roof, the senior military advisor for the BOLDERBoulder Memorial Day Tribute and commander of the University of Colorado Army ROTC unit. Along with being a 1997 West Point graduate, Roof served in the infantry for 18 years, ten of which included Elite Special Operations. He made more than 350 combat insertions into the Middle East and Africa while also leading small strategic teams. Roof experienced severe injuries in combat while defending his country, leading him to receive a Purple Heart amongst many other awards and decorations. He lost his life to his injuries. We honor the Great American warrior and patriot for his bravery and leadership. 

Our second honoree of the day was Marine Corp. Lieutenant Robert Sheeks. In 1942, just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, tensions were high between Americans and those of Japanese descent. During what is considered one of the darkest times in U.S. civil rights history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which forced over 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps in reaction to the bombing. While the internment camps were beginning to fill, the University of Colorado was creating a Japanese language school that would lead to helping the U.S. win the war in the Pacific. Former CU president, Robert Stearns, began lobbying with the Navy to bring schools and personnel to the campus. In junio of 1942, the Navy’s Japanese Language School was established at the university. Graduates of the school were sent directly into the Pacific theater on the front lines to act as interpreters and aid key leaders. Lt. Sheeks was one of those interpreters. Sheeks pioneered new methods to coax Japanese soldiers and civilians into surrendering in battlefields such as Tarawa and Saipan. Sheeks used his education from the language school to save countless lives. On top of Sheek’s accomplishments, other graduates of the school helped to rebuild war-torn Japan by assisting in translations, aiding the injured, and guiding in the humane treatment of prisoners of war. 

Our third honoree was Marine Corp. Corporal Don Whipple. At the early age of 17, Whipple landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima and was present for the iconic flag raising on Mount Suri-Bachi. He served side-by-side with CU Japanese Language School graduates. At the time of the tribute, Whipple was one of the few remaining WWII survivors in the state of Colorado. 

Our fourth honoree was glider pilot, Corporal Roger Smith of Loveland. Smith was training to be a pilot when the Army put out news of needing glider pilots to which he immediately enlisted to become one. Gliders were needed in WWII to bring important supplies into the fields without making too much noise. The engines were cut before landing and pilots had to glide the plane safely and quietly to the ground. Smith said of flying that there was nothing about it he did not enjoy.  

Our final honoree of the day was Staff Sergeant Elmer “Lucky” McGinty. McGinty joined the service at 17 and flew in 29 bombing missions across Europe during WWII. At the time of the tribute, McGinty was one of the last surviving WWII B-17 crew members. 

En el 2022 Tributo del Día de los Caídos, honramos a los veteranos que compartieron sus historias de amor y fe durante tiempos de guerra.  

 

Our first honorees were Ralph and Velora Halgren. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Ralph joined the Navy where he was sent overseas to perform search and rescue efforts during World War II. With women not allowed to join the Armed forces at that time, Velora stayed on the home front where she was a hospital volunteer and later worked on the War Production Board for the American Red Cross. She also corresponded with soldiers who did not receive mail from home by sending them letters. Eventually, Ralph was sent to the Province of Palawan in the Philippines to help decommission the base there for his final act of service in WWII. After the war, Ralph and Velora met at a dance over a pint of beer. Velora did not want to finish the glass, so she offered it to Ralph to which he thought, “Wow, this is a girl to date. She lets me drink her beer!” From that moment on the couple were inseparable and have been married for over 70 years now. They still share their drinks to this day by splitting a martini before dinner every night. The couple resides in Louisville, CO and live by the statement, “love can help ease the heartache of war.” 

 

Our second honoree was Luther Bergeland. Bergeland joined the Armed forces at the age of 18. He served for over four decades spanning three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In WWII, he served on the European front in the 547th Field Infantry Battalion. It was during combat that Bergeland came to a life-changing decision. He describes the moment as, “The Lord found me in a foxhole,” and from there he decided to dedicate his life to his faith. Upon his return to the States, he become a pastor. Bergeland served his faith and country as an Army chaplain during the Korean War. He enjoyed spending his time conducting services in the field and being with the guys in the trenches. It was in these trenches that Bergeland received a Bronze Star, the Army’s honor for heroic achievement. He earned this great achievement during a fateful night where the Chinese divisions were moving against the U.S. He describes the event as being extremely chaotic. The chaos led to the South Korean troops retreating through the U.S. ranks. Bergeland helped to direct traffic and keep things moving. After Korea, Bergeland and his family moved to Boulder where he continued to serve his church and his country through the Army reserves. During the Vietnam War, Bergeland would travel to the Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver one night per week, where he was assigned the difficult task of telling family members that they had lost a loved one. Bergeland served his country for 40 years and despite all the trauma and heartbreak he experienced, he said he would not have had it any other way. 

La familia Gold Star son aquellos que han perdido a un ser querido en el servicio militar. El Colorado Freedom Memorial tiene los nombres de más de 6,000 veteranos de Colorado muertos o desaparecidos en acción. Ofrece a las familias Gold Star de Colorado un lugar para recordar a sus seres queridos. Honra a los habitantes de Colorado que partieron para defender su país y nunca regresaron.

• The first of the Gold Star Family Honorees at the 2019 BB was that of the family of Christopher Anderson. Nicknamed, Chris ‘Doc’ Anderson, he grew up in Longmont, CO. with his father, mother, and brother. His family expressed that Christopher had always wanted to join the Navy. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the Marines as a Navy Corpsman. While on patrol, Sargent Greg Edwards lost both legs to an IED and Anderson was there instantly, providing both the medical and emotional support that saved Edward’s life so he could return to his wife and daughters. A few months later, Anderson was killed during a mortar attack on diciembre 4^th, 2006. Upon the return of Anderson’s body, his family along with his hometown of Longmont held a parade in his honor before he was buried in Arlington, West Virginia. In attendance at Chris’s funeral was his family and against doctor orders, Sargent Edwards. While they remember Christopher every day, Memorial Day holds a new meaning for the Anderson Family and a reminder to have everyone come together.
• El segundo de los homenajeados de la familia Gold Star fue el padre, Jeff Falkel. Cuando era niño, Chris Falkel siempre había querido seguir los pasos de su padre, Jeff Falkel, y servir como soldado de las fuerzas especiales. En 2003, Chris logró ese sueño como Green Barret y pronto fue enviado a Afganistán, donde rápidamente recibió el apodo de "Junior". Después de la escuela de francotiradores, Junior le contó a su padre Jeff sobre su idea de hacer bolígrafos con casquillos de bala después de regresar de Afganistán. Desafortunadamente, Junior nunca llegó a casa; en 2005 Junior murió en acción. Para continuar con su legado, Jeff creó "Junior's Bullet Pen Company", donde creó bolígrafos en honor a Juniors y para cumplir su sueño. Jeff dona gran parte de sus ganancias a diversas causas militares y extraña la sonrisa y la risa de su hijo.
• The third and final Gold Star Family was the wife, son, and daughter of Charles Wyckoff. Charles met his wife Erika in 2002, and in 2004 Charles joined the Army as an Infantryman. He was soon after deployed and his love showed through the hundreds of letters sent home.  On junio 6^th, 2007 Charles was killed in action and received both a Purple Heart, Silver Star, and the distinguished service cross for his heroism that day. To this day, Erika credits her love for Charles that helps her carry on after his passing. She honors his memory through working with the American Legion and to her, every day is Memorial Day.

El 10^th La división de montaña, formada en 1941, fue la primera división del ejército estadounidense designada para combate especializado en las montañas y condiciones árticas. Capacitarse en esquí, montañismo, raquetas de nieve y supervivencia en grandes alturas. Estos eran amantes de la naturaleza entrenados para sobrevivir a 10,000 pies y luchar en altitudes para las que no habían sido entrenados en el pasado.

• Hugh Evans was the first honoree of the 2018 BOLDERBoulder, who joined the 10^th Mountain division in 1943. Evans simulated combat at Camp Hale, CO. at the elevation of over 11,000 ft before he was deployed to Italy. In 1945 at Riba Ridge Italy, Evans and his troop scaled over 2,000 feet of rock at night and surprised Germans Troops to capture their strong holds. Evans captured multiple bunkers and forced numerous men to surrender. He received the Combat Infantry Man Badge, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (post combat), and the Purple Heart.
• The second honoree, John C. Russell, was a member of the 10^th Mountain Division Light Infantry from 1988-1991, after the 10^th Mountain Division was reactivated in 1985 based in Fort Drum, New York. This reactivated division was based on squad level maneuvers, where it was small unit focused, trained to survive in the harsh weather designed for quick deployment. Bringing his skills from his first 22 years serving in the army, Russell has helped to perfect logistics in this division. Russell was an interictal part in rebuilding what has now become one of the most deployed units in the army. During his time in the Army, he was deployed in Vietnam, Germany, England, and Iraq. He received the Bronze star and was a ROTC mentor.
• The final honoree of the 2018 BB was Richard Over. Over was a part of the 10^th Mountain Division from 1942-1946 in WW2 at Camp Hale, CO. Having a father in the marine core and growing up skiing made serving in the 10^th mountain division a natural fit. After a short time at Camp Hale as a warrant officer in the army transport service, he was relocated to the Aleutian Islands near Alaska to build Military Strong holds. After the war was over, Over returned to Colorado to help develop the Colorado Ski industry in honor of the 10^th Mountain Division, a monument to many who didn’t return.

 

Este año estuvo dedicado a los hombres y mujeres en servicio que consolaron a los soldados en su momento de sacrificio.

• Leila Morrison fue enfermera del ejército de EE. UU. durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Acababa de graduarse de la escuela de enfermería a la edad de 22 cuando el ejército necesitaba enfermeras. Se unió a su equipo médico móvil en Europa, constantemente ante el peligro. Cerca del final de su despliegue, Leila brindó ayuda en la liberación del campo de concentración de Bankenveld. Al recordar tanto el horror de los atrapados en el campo de concentración como lo agradecidos que estaban, recuerda a un joven en particular que estaba tan agradecido con las tropas estadounidenses. Hoy, Leila todavía habla abiertamente de la libertad y del sacrificio de aquellos estadounidenses que la defendieron para todos nosotros. Espera compartir el mensaje de que la libertad tiene un precio alto y el Día de los Caídos es un día para reflexionar sobre esto.
•  El Capitán Mike Rose, después de años de nominación, recibió la Medalla de Honor en 2017. Rose era un médico de las Fuerzas Especiales de la era de Vietnam que dejó de lado sus propias heridas para ayudar a otros que resultaron heridos durante la operación Tailwind en Laos. Esta operación consistió en 4 días seguidos de caos. Atendió a 51 soldados, protegiendo sus cuerpos con el suyo durante el fuego enemigo, Rose incluso fue alcanzada por un cohete y sobrevivió a un accidente de helicóptero, pero continuó protegiendo y salvando vidas. Si bien salvó muchas vidas, hasta el día de hoy todavía está sorprendido de que alguien de su equipo haya sobrevivido y siente que simplemente estaba haciendo su trabajo. Hablando humildemente de su experiencia, señala que muchos soldados realizaron actos heroicos en el cumplimiento del deber y no recibieron reconocimiento. El Día de los Caídos es una forma de honrar a estos héroes caídos.
• Dave Smith es capellán de los veteranos que regresan de Irak y Vietnam. Un capellán cuida de los vivos, cuida de los moribundos y honra a los muertos. El capellán Smith atiende a nuestros miembros del servicio en su momento de máximo sacrificio y comprende que la necesidad de apoyo se extiende más allá de los caídos. Brinda consuelo a los cuidadores de los caídos e incluso a las comunidades, incluida la precesión cuando los caídos son llevados a casa. En el Día de los Caídos, recuerda a aquellos con quienes sirvió y perdió. Incluso recuerda a aquellos que han servido, sobrevivido, pero han caído de otras maneras, aquellos que se están curando moralmente en casa. Smith enfatiza que la libertad tiene un precio y alienta a todos a involucrarse más y apoyar a nuestra comunidad de veteranos.