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********** Colorado TOH - Day 7 **********
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Now heading towards the next Memorial site in Woodland Park and of course, I take the most scenic route I can find. Frankly, in this part of Colorado it is almost impossible to find a route that is not scenic so I have to weigh between magnificent views or more magnificent views. I plot my route and head back through the mountains.
Great views most trip but as I get closer to Woodland Park going through the Pike National Forest, the views are somber as a result of the recent forest fires in this area.
Don’t you know that the folks that live in this house consider themselves to be very lucky?
As I travel through the Pike Forest, I came across this series of signs that had been placed by the local firefighters.
Very sad indeed. What was once lush forest now lays barren.
But continuing on, the remaining forest still holds its beauty. Incidentally, during my travels on this trip I saw many signs in front of homes and businesses thanking the firefighters for all their hard work. I too add my thanks to firefighters everywhere.
Much was lost, but much more was saved.
Added to my honor ride, I stopped to give my honor to the famous Donut Mill in Woodland Park.
OK, maybe the Donut Mill is not famous, but some years back we actually lived in Woodland Park and this was our favorite memory of this town so I had to get a donut and take these pictures to send to my wife. I’m having a donut at the Donut Mill and you are not – Ha Ha Ha.
I move now to the Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross monument in Woodland park as a memorial to all those of all military branches that gave their lives for our country.
“ALL GAVE SOME – SOME GAVE ALL”
The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross, Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross is a symbolic replacement of a cross on the battlefield or at the base camp for a soldier who has been killed. Made up of the soldier's rifle with bayonet attached stuck into the ground, helmet on top, dog tags sometimes hanging from the rifle and the boots of the fallen soldier next to it. Its purpose is to show honor and respect for the fallen at the battle site. The practice started during the American Civil War or maybe earlier as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground before they were removed.
Today, it is an immediate means of showing respect for the fallen among the still living members of the troop. It might be seen in the field or base camp after the battle.
Used less today as a means to identify the fallen but more as a private ceremony among those still living as a means to mourn, as attending the funeral is not always possible for soldiers still in the fight.
As “macho” at the military tries to portray themselves, they have mastered the art of making grown men cry. I remember all too well this type of service and attended more than I cared to attend. Our friend’s body had already been sent home but we would have these services as a memorial. They were short and painful. We would be in formation facing the “cross” of our fallen friend’s rifle, boots and helmet while the chaplain would say a few words and the taps was played. The playing of taps is where I and most would usually lose it. After the service, we were expected to carry on and not waste time in mourning – **** YOU ARMY.
Next I head to Colorado Springs. From the recent fires I had heard that the quaint town of Manitou Springs had been evacuated, so I took a short detour to see if there as any damage to this cute little town. All seemed well and no evidence of fire in the main section. I guess during the time when the fire was out of control, the officials had taken precautions just in case the fire came through this valley.
Then I headed over to the Garden of the Gods. This site has also been closed as the fires raged nearby. It’s hard to make out in this picture but just down the road from the garden one can charred timers in the background. Fortunately, the they were able to protect the area immediately around the garden
A quick stop at the garden to admire the rocks
It was a Sunday afternoon with nice weather, so there were at least 10,000 people per square foot, so I did not stay long and headed onward to the next memorial site.
Within the city of Colorado Springs I arrive at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Several of the figures had been adorned with artificial flowers
In the shadow of Pikes Peak, is this statue of a firefighter rescuing a child. It stands in front of a memorial wall that includes the names of 1,775 fallen firefighters from North America. Included on the wall are the names of 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, and another 122 names were added in September 2006.
This plaque had been decorated with toy figurines of Batman and Robin. I wondered if there was a story behind this?
Now I headed to Pueblo for the next site. I attempted to find a scenic route but had little success once I got more than 50 miles away from Colorado Springs. The pleasant mountain temperatures were gone as well. It hovered around 95 to 100 most of the way. No offense to the fine folks that call Pueblo home, but this is not one of my favorite Colorado towns.
I find the Medal of Honor Memorial, the site of my next memorial site
Four of Pueblo’s heroes are the centerpiece of this memorial outside the Convention Center on Heroes Plaza. In addition to the statues there are 3,400 names of the other MOH recipients.
There is a water feature referencing President Eisenhower’s comment, upon placing the medal around Pueblo native Raymond Murphy’s neck, “What is it in the water out there in Pueblo, all you guys turn out to be heroes?”.
The four granite blocks upon which the statues stand, contains a map of where their action took place, as well other awards they earned listed. The designers of the memorial were able to work with each of the recipients to make sure their uniforms and equipment was accurate.
The four Medal of Honor recipients from Pueblo:
William Crawford, World War II, 1943
Carl Sitter, Korea, 1950
Raymond “Jerry” Murphy, Korea, 1953
Drew Dix, Vietnam, 1968
Onward to the eastern Colorado town of Lamar. I though Pueblo was hot but the ride to Lamar proved that I ain't seen nothing yet. The afternoon was spent going down a straight highway of lands so flat it made west Texas look hilly. The temperature hovered around 105 most of the time. It was a very dry heat that made it slightly more tolerable than humid Texas heat, but 105 is still hot. It felt like I was riding in an oven and breathing the hot air was slightly less than fun.
In Lamar, I make it to the Madonna of the Trail Monument.
Madonnas of the Trail
A recurring piece of public statuary stands in twelve locations from Maryland to California, tracing a historic travel route from "covered wagon days. The statue is the Madonna of the Trail, an 18-ft. tall tribute to the pioneer mothers who traveled west with their crazy husbands.
The Madonna of the Trail is a pinkish, stony-faced pioneer Mom, in long dress and bonnet, strutting westward with a rifle on one arm, an infant on the other, another little cruncher grasping Mom's skirt
The Madonnas of the Trail were a project of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated in 1928-29. They are strung along the National Old Trails Road
This was the fifth Madonna of the Trail statue to be dedicated on the National Old Trails Road from Bethesda, Maryland to Upton, California. It drew the largest crowd of all the dedication ceremonies and the entire town closed down for it. Area pioneer women were honored during the week’s festivities that included parades and dances. President Truman was listed on the program but was unable to attend.
In case you have not noticed, but I have traveled many miles today and spent the afternoon in very hot weather, so I am exhausted. I can go no more. I need to find and air conditioned motel and call it a day.
I find this motel with unusual figures on the balcony above the office.
A place that decorates like this can’t all bad. They had good rates, so I call this home for the night. Too tired to go out, I fix me a fine meal of dehydrated something and attack my box of fine wine.
End of day 7
G’nite Y’all
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