News
ENLARGE
RIFLE, Colorado — For more than a year, John Scalzo, longtime resident and former mayor of the city of Rifle, and member of the American Legion Kelly-Hansen Post 78 in Rifle, has worked on an addition to the West Garfield County Veterans Memorial in north Rifle.
And on Sunday, Nov. 8, nearly 300 people joined him and members of Post 78 in honoring those who have served in the armed forces from this area, or who now live here, in a special dedication ceremony at the Rifle Veteran's Plaza on the west side of Deerfield Park.
Scalzo arranged for five granite headstones, which currently bear the names of more than 2,270 men and women who have served in the military from this area or who live here now in western Garfield County between New Castle and Parachute, to be placed in the plaza.
The ceremony began with the posting of the colors by American Legion members, and the national anthem was sung by Legionnaire Dean Wells, as attendees stood at attention with their hands over their hearts. An invocation was said by Pastor Dean Johnson.
Frank McCurdy, Commander of the Department of Colorado American Legion, and a former Air Force fighter pilot, made the opening statements.
“This is my first time in the Rifle community,” he said. “On behalf of the American Legion, I would like to congratulate Garfield County for this memorial. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your dedication.”
Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson of Rifle was also a featured speaker.
“As parents and grandparents, you can bring your children and grandchildren to this memorial in honor of the greatest nation that ever lived,” Samson said.
Mayor Keith Lambert also expressed his thanks and sentiments to those who are serving and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“On behalf of the city of Rifle, and not only here, but across the United States and certainly those in Garfield County, our hearts go out to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Lambert said.
Scalzo then gave his speech.
“Here we are on this beautiful day,” he said. “We started with three to four stones and needed $40,000, but now we have five stones and $50,000. This memorial is for the past, present and the future. This memorial would not have been possible without the members of Post 78.”
And then his voice broke.
“A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check to the United States of America — some with their lives,” Scalzo said, fighting back tears. “This is a tribute to all our veterans.”
His speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience.
The keynote address was made by the Past National Commander of the American Legion, Tom Bock, and the dedication was presented by Kelly-Hansen Post 78 Commander Jay Miller.
“To all who helped — we thank you. It's your memorial,” Miller said. “And we dedicate this memorial to all those in Garfield County who served, or are serving now.”
Onlookers spilled out of the seats and many leaned against the stones while watching the dedication ceremony unfold.
“I think it's great,” Loren Polly of DeBeque said afterwards. “I'm a vet. And with everything that's happened with Fort Hood and what's going on today, I think Americans are obligated to honor our vets.”
And on Sunday, Nov. 8, nearly 300 people joined him and members of Post 78 in honoring those who have served in the armed forces from this area, or who now live here, in a special dedication ceremony at the Rifle Veteran's Plaza on the west side of Deerfield Park.
Scalzo arranged for five granite headstones, which currently bear the names of more than 2,270 men and women who have served in the military from this area or who live here now in western Garfield County between New Castle and Parachute, to be placed in the plaza.
The ceremony began with the posting of the colors by American Legion members, and the national anthem was sung by Legionnaire Dean Wells, as attendees stood at attention with their hands over their hearts. An invocation was said by Pastor Dean Johnson.
Frank McCurdy, Commander of the Department of Colorado American Legion, and a former Air Force fighter pilot, made the opening statements.
“This is my first time in the Rifle community,” he said. “On behalf of the American Legion, I would like to congratulate Garfield County for this memorial. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your dedication.”
Garfield County Commissioner Mike Samson of Rifle was also a featured speaker.
“As parents and grandparents, you can bring your children and grandchildren to this memorial in honor of the greatest nation that ever lived,” Samson said.
Mayor Keith Lambert also expressed his thanks and sentiments to those who are serving and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“On behalf of the city of Rifle, and not only here, but across the United States and certainly those in Garfield County, our hearts go out to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Lambert said.
Scalzo then gave his speech.
“Here we are on this beautiful day,” he said. “We started with three to four stones and needed $40,000, but now we have five stones and $50,000. This memorial is for the past, present and the future. This memorial would not have been possible without the members of Post 78.”
And then his voice broke.
“A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check to the United States of America — some with their lives,” Scalzo said, fighting back tears. “This is a tribute to all our veterans.”
His speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience.
The keynote address was made by the Past National Commander of the American Legion, Tom Bock, and the dedication was presented by Kelly-Hansen Post 78 Commander Jay Miller.
“To all who helped — we thank you. It's your memorial,” Miller said. “And we dedicate this memorial to all those in Garfield County who served, or are serving now.”
Onlookers spilled out of the seats and many leaned against the stones while watching the dedication ceremony unfold.
“I think it's great,” Loren Polly of DeBeque said afterwards. “I'm a vet. And with everything that's happened with Fort Hood and what's going on today, I think Americans are obligated to honor our vets.”
