Posts to Veterans

By Ray Lane, Evergreen Crossing, Wind Crest

Unexpectedly an email said, “Would you like to go on a Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.” I thought, “Who me? How could I be qualified?” Another email said, “You were in the service during the Korean War, weren’t you?’ “Well yes, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving my wife alone for those days.” She said, “GO!” I was told that using a wheelchair and walker was okay, and “It is free.” I was out of excuses!

The morning of October 2, thirty of us gathered at DIA to begin the trip of a lifetime. An announcement had been made that an Honor Veterans Flight was in the terminal. Then, led by individuals in uniform and carrying the American and Colorado flags, accompanied by bag pipes playing “Amazing Grace,” we moved single file through the terminal, some in wheelchairs and others walking. Hundreds of people allowed us to pass while clapping, shouting “Thank YOU for your service,” saluting, slapping hands, and cheering us. Some asked for our autographs. “Who, us?”

Then we saw the plane that Southwest was providing for us. The American flag was painted the full length of the plane on both sides! Most adults know that Vietnam veterans were terribly abused when they returned from that war. It was overwhelming to receive this kind of treatment, and all of us were blessed.

Departing the plane, we were greeted by a man in George Washington’s Continental Army General uniform. He then followed a fife and drum corps, leading us through the terminal as thousands of men, women, and children greeted us. It was a life changing day for us, to be followed by two more awesome and emotional days. On day two we visited memorials in D.C., and day three was centered around Arlington cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While we were at the Korean Memorial, two families traveling from Korea, saw my Veteran cap and were so excited to meet a man who helped their country. In their culture, bowing is common, but to have people bowing to me and take pictures with me was overwhelming. It was even more so, if possible, for the Vietnam vets.

If you know a Korean (most of us are gone) or Vietnam veteran, encourage them to call Rocky Mountain Honor Flight and apply to go on one of four flights next year.

Keith Montey is the one to call at (970) 978-0452 for all the information.

Here are some of the special highlights in honor of our Wind Crest Veterans, on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th:

• Veterans Day Celebration at the A&E:
  • Browse the “Memory Tables”, in the hallway outside the A&E auditorium, starting at noon on Tuesday
  • Veterans Day Program in the A&E auditorium, with guest speaker Colonel Ahave E. Brown, Jr., from 1pm to 2:30pm
• Garry Mitchelmore will play taps on his bugle at three Veterans Day locations:
  • 4:30pm: Longs Ridge / Mt Rosa parking lot
  • 4:35pm: Highline Canal, from Longs Ridge balcony
  • 4:50pm: Neighborhood 3
• Special Recognition: Wind Crest is treating veterans to a FREE MEAL on Veterans Day!

Provided by Tom Puckett to Veterans at Wind Crest

Quarterly Speaker: Keith Montey

On Thursday October 9th at 1pm, the Veterans Quarterly Speaker Series welcomes Keith Montey to the Wind Crest A&E auditorium.

Mr. Montey was raised on the eastern plains of Colorado and since 2018 has been on 19 Honor Flights. He has attended the Honor Flight Conventions in Washington DC and is a recently retired insurance agent after 36 years with American Family Insurance.

He will tell the story of a World War II Veteran and of his trip to Washington DC. After a short video, Mr Montey will give facts and figures about the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.

All Wind Crest residents are invited.

Our Departed Friend Jim Moss

Memorial services for Jim Moss, USNR, will take place in the Wind Crest A&E auditorium on Saturday October 11th at 12:30pm.

Football Rivalry

On Saturday October 4th at 10am Mountain time, tune into CBS Sports to see Navy hosting the Air Force. The game is also being streamed on Paramount+ Premium.

Navy is 4-0 on the college football season, with a perfect 3-0 record in American Conference play. The Midshipmen are coming off a 21-13 win over conference rival Rice. The visiting Air Force Falcons, meanwhile, find themselves at the bottom of the Mountain West standings, with an 0-3 conference record. After dropping their last game, 44-35, to Hawaii, they’re 1-3 overall.

From Tom Puckett
Chair, Leadership Committee, Veterans at Wind Crest

Shared by Tom Puckett, Chair, Veterans at Wind Crest

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, ‘Taps’. It’s the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.

This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as ‘Taps’ used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

On August 1st, at 10am in the Wind Crest A&E, there will be a program hosted by the Wind Crest residents’ “FYI Presentations” group. The program will feature Rick Crandell (see photo below), who will speak about the Colorado Freedom Memorial.

The Colorado Freedom Memorial (pictured below) is the first memorial in America that is dedicated to ALL wars and ALL branches of service. It contains the 6,218 names of all who died from Colorado in those wars. It is located about 35 minutes away.

Our Veterans at Wind Crest group supports the Foundation for the Colorado Freedom Memorial, and we hope that all of our veterans can attend the August 1st presentation.

Click on the Youtube link (below) to see an inspiring 7-minute video about the Memorial.

-Tom Puckett, Chair

To: Veterans at Wind Crest

Mark your calendar for four upcoming events in the first half of July.

On July 3rd, starting at 11:30am, our departed Wind Crest friend Lt Colonel Pat Helms will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

On Friday July 4th, celebrate the holiday by attending the Fifth Annual Wind Crest Independence Day Parade, with its traditional parade of cars.

On Thursday, July 10th, at 1pm in the A&E auditorium, the Veterans Speaker Series will feature Tony Thomas, Director of the Fort Logan Cemetery. Mr. Thomas has a distinguished career as a cemetery director. And, he served more than 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. He served two combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, one tour in Kuwait during Operations Desert Shield/Storm and a tour in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Then on Tuesday July 15, we have the July follow-up to June’s presentation of Quilts of Valor. It’s in the Colorado Meeting Room at Wind Crest, starting at 10am. As noted below, we’ll honor Lee Frame, Steve Frank, Richard Porter and Art Tunstall.

From Tom Puckett
Chair, Leadership Committee
Veterans at Wind Crest
Website: Veterans-at-WindCrest.org