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Monument opens to public
  
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By Robyn Lydick
Thunderheads threatened fireworks but brilliant sun streamed through as people gathered to honor service women and men in Civic Green Park July 1.
After four years of tireless work by a cadre of volunteers, the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument is up and open to the public.
Jeff Alvis, the man who originally dreamed the monument after the first Highlands Ranch resident fell in action in Afghanistan, was proud of what the monument committee achieved.
“We should hold veterans daily in our hearts and minds,” Alvis said. “I hope this monument grows with the community as a gathering place and rallying point for patriotic holidays.”
Alvis read of Staff Sgt. Christopher Falkel’s death in August 2006, put down the Herald and said to himself, “this can’t be the end of the story.”
Mike Messenger, Vietnam veteran who served in Cam Ranh Bay, and Patriot Guard rider, compared the level of support for military personnel to his homecoming in 1967.
“I went to college and you didn’t want anyone to know you had been in the military, let alone actually in Vietnam,” Messenger said. “We are doing these boys justice today. Probably not enough.”
The monument dedication featured former Gov. Bill Owens, a proclamation by Gov. Bill Ritter, Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards of the Colorado National Guard, Alvis, and Steffan Tubbs from KOA radio.
“This monument truly says thanks to those who served in the past, those that stand on guard today and those who will protect us in the future,” Owens said.
The former governor also called Highlands Ranch the most patriotic community in Colorado or the United States.
“The Bible says, greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends,” Owens continued. “These men and women protect us, people they do not know to protect the liberty that it the envy of the world.”
Civic Green Park was full to overflowing as the evening went on.
The monument honors 324 veterans with room for more tiles.
Of a needed $200,000, $180,000 has been raised.
After four years of tireless work by a cadre of volunteers, the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument is up and open to the public.
Jeff Alvis, the man who originally dreamed the monument after the first Highlands Ranch resident fell in action in Afghanistan, was proud of what the monument committee achieved.
“We should hold veterans daily in our hearts and minds,” Alvis said. “I hope this monument grows with the community as a gathering place and rallying point for patriotic holidays.”
Alvis read of Staff Sgt. Christopher Falkel’s death in August 2006, put down the Herald and said to himself, “this can’t be the end of the story.”
Mike Messenger, Vietnam veteran who served in Cam Ranh Bay, and Patriot Guard rider, compared the level of support for military personnel to his homecoming in 1967.
“I went to college and you didn’t want anyone to know you had been in the military, let alone actually in Vietnam,” Messenger said. “We are doing these boys justice today. Probably not enough.”
The monument dedication featured former Gov. Bill Owens, a proclamation by Gov. Bill Ritter, Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards of the Colorado National Guard, Alvis, and Steffan Tubbs from KOA radio.
“This monument truly says thanks to those who served in the past, those that stand on guard today and those who will protect us in the future,” Owens said.
The former governor also called Highlands Ranch the most patriotic community in Colorado or the United States.
“The Bible says, greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends,” Owens continued. “These men and women protect us, people they do not know to protect the liberty that it the envy of the world.”
Civic Green Park was full to overflowing as the evening went on.
The monument honors 324 veterans with room for more tiles.
Of a needed $200,000, $180,000 has been raised.
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