A Wonderful Idea

Dear Diane and Rick,

Just want you to know how much I enjoyed, and practically lived, your trip around Colorado last week. I listened as much as I possibly could -- the interviews were terrific, so heart-warming, and they brought memories of the things my husband used to tell me (it wasn't real easy to get him to talk about the war) but when he and his war buddies were together, I listened a lot.

You are so right about the beauty in our State (and the people too), and I thought this was a wonderful idea.

Thanks. Love, Eleanor

One Of The Best

Mr. Rick

As a long time listener, back to my summer school days at Boulder and CU, I feel that your recent "tour" of five Colorado cities was one of the best!

Your various veteran interviews plus those of "locals" provided your listeners a most interesting and captivating insight into those areas outside of the Denver area.

Regards

Mickey Kavanagh

Friday, July 27th

We have traveled about 250-miles since yesterday and are sitting on the northside of Fort Collins in LaPorte at American Legion Post 4. This is our final broadcast stop for the Tour of Colorado and it's here that we meet the most engaging veteran of the entire tour, Curt Cameron.

Curt is an 83-year old veteran of WWII. He tells you proudly how he enlisted at the age of 17, the day after he graduated from high school. Curt went on to become a glider pilot, participating in several of the biggest campaigns of the war in Europe including D-Day at Normandy, Operation Market Garden in Holland and the Battle of the Bulge. Seven major campaigns in 33-months of service. And then he came home, but he didn't quit serving.

Today Curt heads up the All Fort Collins Honor Guard. A couple times a month they present the colors, a 21-gun salute and Taps at the funerals of veterans. He's been doing it for over 20-years. I asked Curt why those 33-months of his life in service, 62-years ago, were still so important to him. He smiles, tells you it was the most important thing he's ever done, and doesn't go any further. They never do.

We ask veterans to share their stories all the time and slowly, but surely, they have started to. But the never tell you everything. They'll tell you about battles, and buddies, and coming home. But you won't hear about events that changed who these men and women were, forever. You had to be there, and change with them, to appreciate just what it was like. So, ask Curt about being a glider pilot, and honoring veterans and he'll talk all day. Ask about how he changed during the war, and you'll know from the twinkle, and the tears, that there's another story you had to be there to understand.

Thursday, July 26th

Have you ever been to a place where you felt like you were in another time? That's Olathe, Colorado. Olathe (you say Oh-Lay-Thu) is nine-miles north of Montrose in the Uncompaghre Valley of western Colorado. The population of the town is 1400 people. American Legion Post 24 is here. It's the Speirs-Dennis Post, named after two young men from the town who were killed in WWI. In the Post they have pictures of the boys in their military uniforms, and of Mrs. Speirs standing at her sons graveside in France in the late 1920's. They don't forget here.
That's what happens in small towns. When something bad happens to one, everyone suffers. When Chad Maynard from neighboring Montrose was killed in June 2005 in Iraq, the whole valley felt the pain. They can still tell you with pride about the memorial ceremony. When Chris Sitton was killed in August of 2006 in Afghanistan his grandfather, chaplain at the local VFW Post, wondered why he survived WWII and his grandson was taken. People here still talk about the service, and the roll each played that day. They don't forget here.
We started the Tour of Colorado to make sure the people of Colorado knew we hadn't forgotten about their sons and daughters that had been killed in action. The Colorado Freedom Memorial will list all of the names of Colorado's fallen heroes so future generations will know who they were. The people of Olathe said, thanks, but they hadn't waited for us. They have remembered all along. They don't forget here.

Thanks!

Hi.  I just wanted you know what a great job you have
been doing all week and for that matter all the time.
Thanks for taking us all along to the travels around
the state and for the great music.

Viv Miller

I have enjoyed your trip around Colorado for the Freedom Memorial. This has been one of the most enjoyable series you have done. And you do many wonderful shows! But this was close to home and as a native of Colorado, who has been to many of the communities you travel to, it was like a trip back home. To listen to all the stories touched my heart. All the present and former military men and women are a national treasure. Thank you for doing this.
Edith Bonnstetter

Wednesday Evening, July 25th

I can now say I have seen the most beautiful place in Colorado!!! The drive from Durango to Ouray should be a yearly requirement. Every care you have in the world is wiped away by the awesome sites surrounding you. The mountain peaks, pastures, lakes and forests are absolutely perfect. It's like a postcard at every turn. Part of the ride is called the Million Dollar Highway, and I sure know why. What a pleasure it is to live in Colorado!!!

Wednesday, July 25th

Janna Longenette and Linda Matthews are the reason we're broadcasting the Breakfast Club in Durango today. In 16-years at KEZW I have never met two people more dedicated to serving families of those killed in action than these two. They formed the first state chapter of Blue Star Mothers. They put on a gathering in Estes Park last year for parents of young men killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through their efforts, the weekend was free for families and gave them a chance to be with others who were going through the same thing. The first evening started with tears and ended with laughter. For those of us who were there it was one of the most touching evenings of our lives. This morning while I was broadcasting they grabbed Diane and started putting together gift baskets for troops in Iraq. Janna lost her first husband right after the first Gulf War. Since then she has been helping families because she understands their loss. Janna and Linda don;t get paid for what they do, except for the thank-you card or hug, and that's all the pay they need.

Janna and Linda are what's good about our country. I am glad to know them, and if you're ever in Durango stop at American Legion Post 28, go around to the back, and ask the ladies if they need help packing boxes.

Tuesday Evening, July 24th

If you never get out of Denver, or the front range, it's easy to forget how varied the landscape of Colorado is. Today we made the drive from Pueblo to Durango. Highway 160 takes you from Walsenburg through Alamosa, Del Norte, Pagosa Springs, over Wolf Creek Pass and into Durango. An amazing change of scenery, at least four different times!! The wildflowers in Colorado's mountains are beautiful and abundant this year. And the people here seem to have a slow, deliberate and gentle way about them. This is the Colorful Colorado we talk about on our license plates!! If you've never been here, it's a real treat.

Hi Rick:

Your show Monday was great----so glad you are getting out & talking to other people, so they know how important the Colorado Freedom Memorial is. Thank you.

Will be listening the rest of the week, please drive careful.

Marilyn
Northglenn

Tuesday, July 24th

I wasn't really sure what to expect when we planned this Tour of Colorado. Doug Sterner is what I hoped would happen. Doug runs the website www.homeofheroes.com If you visit the site you'll see information on every Medal of Honor winner in history. You'll also find other resources and things of interest. His work is known world-wide and is exceptional. But, even better than that is what Doug will say to you if you give him time. This morning on the Breakfast Club Dug said things about the importance of the Colorado Freedom Memorial that I've been trying to say for years. In his words, "we are Americans and that means we honor those heroes who sacrificed their lives for us. It's what Americans do." And, "Heroes aren't only those who died in combat, but those who fought to honor and remember them." Wow. Pueblo is the Home of Heroes. No other city in America can lay claim to four medal of honor recipients. Doug may not have a medal, but he sure is special in my book. Off to Durango.

Monday Evening, July 23rd

So, when was the last time you were in Pueblo? For Diane and me it had been some time. Let me tell you, things are happening down here!! The Arkansas River is being gently re-directed through the southern part of downtown in a project called HARP, Historic Arkansas Riverwalk Project. There are trails, picnic areas, shops and play areas all along the river and lots of construction is going on as well. The re-vitalization of downtown is just one part of the exciting things in Pueblo. The Sangre De Christo Arts Center is beautiful, the El Pueblo Museum is fun and the Mexican Restaurants are AWESOME!! It's not that long a drive from Denver and I think you'd be surprised what you find!

Monday, July 23rd

Hi Everyone...

What a great way to start the trip!! The show in Colorado Springs this morning was perfect. American Legion Post 5 did a wonderful job for us. They had a little breakfast ready, they invited veterans from town and the Korean War Veterans Association showed up, as did a young lady who served in Iraq and is now studying at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. It was great! Thanks to Keith LaMee for his hard work arranging things for us in the Springs. I enjoyed meeting and interviewing Captain Dorman from Fort Carson. Listening to him describe driving past the Memorial at Fort Carson's main gate that has the names of 217 fallen soldiers from the post killed in Iraq was moving. Then to hear Mike Morse's song he wrote the day the family received word his son-in-law had died in Iraq made us all tear up. Real people, touched by the heroics of Colorado's incredible servicemen and women.

Sunday, July 22nd

Greetings from Colorado Springs...
We've traveled our first leg of the journey and everything seems to be in place. KKTV-11, the CBS affiliate here came by the hotel and did a nice interview about the Colorado Freedom Memorial. It is so important to get the word out that we are trying to find stories of Colorado's fallen veterans before there's no one to share them. I can't wait to get started tomorrow morning!!!

Emails folks have sent me on the road about the "Drive for Five"

"I'm glad to contribute to such a worthy cause. I'm enjoying being "on the road" with you. Safe journey...
Love,
Carol
Bend, Oregon

"Have enjoyed this week's program from So.Colo. Hope you do something like it again."
Jack & Pat
Littleton

"Thanks again Rick for helping keep the Memory alive for all that gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can all keep enjoying such freedom in such a great land!"
Marla
Denver

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my blog page where you can chat to me, leave messages and post your thoughts.

- Rick