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
Monday, July 30, 2007
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
Sunday, July 29, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, July 27, 2007
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.
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.
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
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!!!
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