Veterans at WindCrest

For those who served … who live at Wind Crest

Posts to Veterans

From the Leadership Committee

  • A Week for Patriotism

    Posted by Tom Puckett

    250 Flag Walk

    One community, many connections, countless memories.

    Help us prepare Wind Crest for America’s 250th celebration by placing American flags throughout our community! Join us on Wednesday, July 1 at 8:30am at any of our three clubhouses in Neighborhood 1, 2, or 3 where a Grounds team member will provide flags, directions, and assign placement areas. Our Grounds team themselves will place flags for Continuing Care. Whether you place one flag or many, every helping hand makes a difference. Wear your patriotic colors, bring a friend, and help us transform Wind Crest into a beautiful display of red, white, and blue!

    Together, we’ll kick off America’s 250th celebration while creating connections that make our community so special.

    Activities of the Week

    As we are kicking off the week with many events, I thought I would share a quick email set of reminders:

    • Monday, June 29th – We will be putting up the photo booths and message tables in each clubhouse, offering picture taking, messaging table and cup cakes to celebrate our 250th Birthday of America.
    • Tuesday, June 30th – FOTA Concert
    • Wednesday, July 1st – Flag Walk, residents helping to place flags along the walkways
    • Thursday, July 2nd – Patriotic Bark in the Park Party, hosted by the Windy Woofers
    • Saturday, July 4th – Car and bike parade and family festivities from 9am-12pm

  • NORAD Historian at July 9th Veterans Speaker Series

    For the July 9th Veterans at Wind Crest speaker series in the A&E at 1pm, Dr. Lance R. Blyth (the Command Historian at NORAD) will be the guest speaker.

    Dr. Blyth is the Command Historian of the North American Aerospace Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command. He previously served on active duty for five years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, and he retired in 2012 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 19 years of reserve duty. During his time as a government historian he has written and contributed to nearly 30 histories and studies.

    Dr. Blyth received his Masters’ from Colorado State University in 1997 and his Doctorate from Northern Arizona University in 2005. He serves as the Adjunct Professor in History at the US Air Force Academy, and is co-editor of “War in History”.

    As a backcountry skier, his current academic research focuses on the history of mountain warfare. He is the author of the book: “Ski Climb Fight: The 10th Mountain Division and the Rise of Mountain Warfare”, examining US mountain warfare efforts from WWII to present day. The book is the winner of an Army Distinguished Writing Award for unit histories.

    Wind Crest hosts a Tune-Up Fair for your mobility devices

    Bring your mobility device to the Red Rocks Room on Thursday June 25th from 10am to 1pm. Non-electric devices are welcome from 10am to 11am, and all electric and non-electric devices are welcome from 11am to 1pm.

    The tune-ups include:

    • Walking Aids; Rollators; and Wheelchairs; plus
    • Mobility Scooters.

    The free tune-ups are provided by Mobility City, a business located on 151 W. Mineral Ave., Suite 115, in Littleton. Contact them at mobilitycity.com/dvco or 720-669-7978.

  • June/July Events

    Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Come to Wind Crest on July 9

    On Thursday, July 9th form 9:00am to 4:00pm in the parking lot next to Pikes Pond and the Legacy Garden we will have the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam War Helicopter Pilots Association Association and their mobile museum (see photo above) staged for all residents, staff and interested family members.  Refreshments and Docents will be present to answer questions and discuss items in the museum.

    Did you know:  Over 10% of all combat and combat support deaths in Vietnam occurred in helicopter operations, a total of 6,175 (2,202 pilots, 2,704 aircrew and 1,269 passengers).

    The records of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) reveal that of the 2,202 pilots killed in the war, 1,882 (86%) were U.S. Army and that over two-thirds of that number died while serving in an Assault Helicopter Company or an Air Cavalry Troop. VHPA records also reveal that although casualty rates varied greatly between units, average casualty rates for AHC’s and ACT’s were roughly equal, a statistic often masked by the more glamorized histories of certain air cavalry units.

    In addition to the human cost of the helicopter war in Vietnam, the helicopter casualties of that war were staggering by today’s standards.

    A total of 11,800 helicopters of all types served in Vietnam. Approximately 5,000 helicopters were destroyed there, of which all but 500 were U.S. Army. Of these, roughly 3,000 were Hueys of all types, 1,100 were Scouts of all types and 300 were Cobras. The vast majority of these were lost while operating in an Assault Helicopter Company or an Air Cavalry Troop.

    June Newsletter from the Buckley Retiree Activities Office

    Go to the Resources page of our Veterans website (or click here) for a link to the latest (June 2026) newsletter from the Buckley Space Force Base Retiree Activities Office.

    Some new material in this month’s newsletter that may be of interest:

    • military observances in June;
    • RAO Casualty Assistance Support;
    • El Paso County Veteran’s Expo;
    • Vetstock Music Festival;
    • Estate Planning Workshops;
    • Veteran Social;
    • VA Pre-Need Eligibility for burial in a veteran’s cemetery;
    • Vet Connect Event;
    • Monthly Tricare Briefs on base;
    • Virtual Medicare Brief;
    • VA Disability Claims Help at M&FRC and DAV;
    • Events for Seniors;
    • Wings Over the Rockies Museum events; etc.

    Final Week for Freedom Plane Tour at Colorado History Museum in Denver

    Through Sunday June 14, the Freedom Plane National Tour will carry rare original Founding-era documents to only eight U.S. cities in 2026 as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. See the information about the Freedom Plan by clicking the following link to the second posting on the home page of the Veterans website). Look for the headline: “Freedom Plane National Tour comes to Denver History Museum.”

  • Freedom Plane National Tour comes to Denver History Museum

    The Freedom Plane National Tour will carry rare original Founding-era documents to only eight U.S. cities in 2026 as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. You will be able to view these historic records in person at Denver’s History Colorado Center (1200 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203) from Thursday, 28 May through Sunday, 14 June. You can see a list of documents that will be on display at Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation | History [Click this Link] 

    This is a unique opportunity you won’t want to miss!

    From Tom Puckett for Veterans at Wind Crest

  • Links to Services for Veterans

    Our immediate past chair of the “Veterans at Wind Crest” Leadership Committee, Tom Puckett, has found several online webpages that provide helpful information about Veterans Administration (V.A.) benefits for Veterans and their families.

    Click any of the following links:

    Provided by Tom Puckett

  • Speaker from Buckley SFB Will Address Retiree Questions

    The next in the series of quarterly speakers to veterans is coming to the A&E auditorium at Wind Crest on Thursday, April 9th, at 1pm.

    He is Lt Commander Steve Young who serves as the Director
    of the Buckley Space Force Base Retiree Activities Office.

    That office exists to provide support to over 28,000 military retirees and spouses or widows of military retirees in Colorado.  

    They provide support to military retirees from all Services, not just the Air Force.  RAO staff can help with questions and/or problems related to military service and/or military-related benefits.  Typical issues handled by the office include: DEER/ID cards, casualty assistance, Survivor Benefit Plans, TriCare and Medicare,VA issues, pay, records, wills, power of attorney, prescriptions, and base services.  

    This is a great opportunity to meet the Director of the program, who is a knowledgeable person to answer your questions or concerns about retiree issues for veterans.

    -From Tom Puckett

  • Our New Chair: Ray Wallace

    Ray Wallace

    Letter from Tom:

    It has been my honor to be a Co-Founder and Chairman of the Veterans at Wind Crest these past 10 years. It is time for me to step down and introduce my successor.  

    Ray Wallace became the new Chairman effective March1, 2026.  

    Ray is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and his 30+ year career was exemplary. He served on 7 ships, 4 nuclear powered guided missile cruisers, 2 guided missile destroyers and an aircraft carrier.  H commanded two of these ships.

    Other assignments followed in senior administrative positions in Washington, Idaho Falls, and in the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India as the Naval Attache.  After retirement he worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory and as a consultant in the American nuclear industry.  

    At Wind Crest he has been kept busy serving as Chairman of the RAC.  Ray and his wife Martha live in Quincy Point.  

    We welcome Ray as our new Chairman of Veterans at Wind Crest.

    -Tom Puckett
    Retiring Chairman

  • Quilts of Valor Awards

    [CORRECTED DATE] On Wednesday, FEBRUARY 25th, at 1:00pm, come to the Colorado Meeting Room for the first “Quilts of Valor” award ceremony of 2026.

    Honors will go to:

    • Milton Krout, who served in the US Army in World War II;
    • Tom Coffin, who served in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard from 1966 to 1982; and
    • Doug Headley, who served in the US Navy from 1966 to 1969.

  • Veterans Guest Speaker on Thursday January 8th

    All are invited to attend the Wind Crest Veterans’ Speakers Series for 2026, starting with the guest speaker on Thursday, January 8th, at 1pm. Lt Colonel John Hermida will speak on the topic of “Goals of unit, current military events, and the Armed Forces’ responses to global situations.” His talk will take place in the Wind Crest A&E auditorium at 1pm.

    Retired Veterans Newsletter for December

    The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (“DFAS”) –which provides pay and benefit services for the US military – has published its latest newsletter update for Veterans for December. The newsletter, which has updates on retiree and annuitant pay, can be viewed at this link.

    The newsletter includes important updates for retirees who pay their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums to DFAS. It also provides information about the newly improved Forms Library and helpful information to share with your loved ones on how to report the death of a military retiree or SBP annuitant. It’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) time again and there’s information on the percentage increase and pay dates, in addition to tips for preparing for tax season.

    Medicare / Tricare Price Increase

    See the article about the 2026 premium increases for Tricare health benefits for Veterans and dependents, at this link.

    Buckley SFB Newsletter for January

    To view the January 2026 newsletter from the Buckley Space Force Base Retiree Activities Office, see this link.

    Also click the underscored links below to see the following newsletters:

    Air Force Afterburner
    Army Echoes
    Navy Sailor for Life
    Marine Corps Semper Fi Magazine
    Coast Guard Long Blue Line

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

  • Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

    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.