The Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado will host A Salute to Our Cold War Veterans May 26-28, with a series of events during Memorial Day weekend 2018.

Each year, the Veterans Plaza honors a different era of United States military veterans. In 2018, it will be honoring Cold War era veterans who served between 1945-1991 during its annual Memorial Day weekend celebrations.  The events will celebrate the service and accomplishments of our Cold War veterans, both living and deceased, and will honor their sacrifices for our country, its citizens, and one another.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

All Veterans Gala

The weekend will kick off with the All Veterans Gala on Saturday, May 26, 2018, from 5:30 – 11 p.m. at the Fort Collins Marriott Hotel, at 350 East Horsetooth Road, in Fort Collins. The event will feature dinner and a keynote presentation by Gary Powers, son of captured pilot Francis Gary Powers, whose CIA U-2 spy plane was shot down while flying in Soviet Union airspace. Additionally, there will be a lapel pin ceremony for Cold War veterans, music by the local band After the Fire, and dancing.

Celebrating Gratitude campaign volunteers will greet veterans with letters of gratitude written by community members. Volunteers include junior high and high school students, including those from the Young Men’s Service League, and many other adults who will help distribute the letters. Last year, the campaign distributed 2,500 letters of gratitude from the community to veterans during Memorial Day weekend events hosted by the Veterans Plaza.

Tickets are $100 per person or $175 per couple. Sponsorships for tables of eight are $1,000 and include sponsor recognition. Proceeds will benefit the Veterans Plaza. Register online!

Sunday, May 27, 2018

The official Memorial Day ceremony will be held from 12-1 p.m. at the Veterans Plaza, located at Spring Canyon Community Park, 2626 West Horsetooth Road, in Fort Collins.

The ceremony will include:

  • Raising of the colors
  • A prayer
  • Guest speakers
  • Inspirational observances
  • A 21-gun salute
  • Taps
  • A static display of a Colorado NG Blackhawk helicopter.
  • The highlight of the ceremony will be paying tribute to our Cold War era veterans by awarding them with the Cold War era lapel pin.
  • Celebrating Gratitude campaign volunteers will also be distributing letters of gratitude to veterans who attend the official ceremony.
  • Visitors will be able to stop by the many booths set up by veteran oriented organizations. They will be on display starting at 9 a.m.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Memorial Day is a day of solitude at the Veterans Plaza. The Colorado Run 10K road race will be held from 7-9 a.m., and the Veterans Plaza information booth will open early in order to meet the runners and others who visit the Plaza.

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