The design was selected by veterans in a state-wide competition. The tower/wall represents the image of vigilance and strength while the beacon at the top marks a special place which implies lasting awareness and memory. Our cost for the monument was $600,000 while the State of Colorado spent $1,200,000 on the surrounding park. The red sandstone used in the construction came from Lyons, Colorado. The monument was dedicated on Veterans Day 1990. The State of Colorado has responsibility for maintenance and repair. They are assisted in these efforts by a Volunteer Litter Control Project and a soon to be funded Preservation Trust Fund.

Monuments/Memorials are gathering places to remember which are given their meaning by people who respond to them. The personal responses to our monument are of three kinds. First, there are yearly events of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veterans Day. Second, special occasions have been commemorated such as the end of World War II, the start of the Korean War, events of the Vietnam War, and the end of the Persian Gulf War. Third, there are individual responses which, for me, have the greatest impact because they come from the heart:

An elderly gentleman early one morning comes to attention, renders a hand salute and walks forward to place his hand on the inscription.
A daughter whose father just died leaves an exquisite letter and picture to the "air under her wings."
A middle aged man comes by whenever possible to pay his respects. That day he stays for almost an hour.
A man stops his car on Broadway, marches up the west promenade to kneel and leave a bouquet of flowers.
A Marine Colonel walks through the courtyard reciting the names of his missing warriors.
A Vietnam veteran with only one leg in a wheel chair erupts into angry swearing one Memorial Day morning. When I asked him to stop so as to be considerate of others, his cursing rage subsides.

Monuments and memorials are built to heal people. While our unique Colorado Veterans Monument cannot repair its edges and mortar joints, it is also able to heal itself. Being in a high traffic urban location, its sandstone is subject to occasional graffiti which builds up if left unattended. When it is cleaned with the right solution in the correct manner, because of its porous surface a shadow is left behind. Over time this residue disappears. A geologist explained to me that the sandstone renews itself by absorbing substances broken down by an initial cleaning. The Colorado Veterans Monument can heal people and it can heal itself. But, it needs help to do both.

In our effort to help, we have instituted several mechanisms. In 1993, we started a Volunteer Litter Control Project. A couple of years ago, one of these volunteers asked me "Is this monument going to last a thousand years?" In answer to his question, Governor Bill Owens signed into law for Memorial Day 2000 the Colorado Veterans Monument Preservation Trust Fund. To be sure the monument is well preserved in a timely manner by future generations, we need to provide funding now.

To accomplish this, we have finished after five years the hardcover, 216 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, color, commemorative book "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Building Colorado Veterans Monument." Ten thousand limited edition copies were printed March 2003. They are for sale at $30 each ($25 donation plus $5 for shipping/taxes). Proceeds from the book are donated to the Colorado Veterans Monument Preservation Trust Fund in the Colorado State Treasury.

You can now purchase your own autographed limited edition copy to help preserve the Monument's dignity in a timely manner.