All Stories — More Than A Headstone

Ready to Lend a Helping Hand

As a radioman in the 1960s Bob was in charge of receiving, replying and relaying Morse Code messages. He truly enjoyed this aspect of the job and was even caught, years later, writing notes to himself in Morse Code.[

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 10, 2020Coast Guard, radioman, Operations Specialist, Morse Code, Operation Helping Hand, GI Bill, Honor Bell, Honor Bell Foundation

In the Footsteps of His Father

Milton Louis Craig was born to serve his country as he was the son of a Buffalo Soldier.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 9, 2020Buffalo Soldiers, Korean War, Vietnam War, Colin Powell, El Paso County Sheriff, Buffalo Soldiers of the American West

From War Hero to Businessman

Martin remained on Active Duty in the reserves throughout the course of the war thanks to the Thomason Act, which allowed for more reserves to join active duty. He served four campaigns on the front lines in North Africa and Italy.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 9, 2020Russian, immigration, World War II, radio operator, 34th Infantry Division, Italy, meat packer, Purple Heart, Honor Bell, Honor Bell Foundation

Dedication Beyond Service

In the 1950s, at 21 years old, Kenneth left home to enlist in the Air Force as a mechanic. During his 23 years of service, he completed his basic training in California and then was stationed in Iceland, Washington, Japan, Virginia, and Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, where he eventually retired.

Hero of the Rhine

Many people believe that they will change the course of history, but few have the means and opportunity to do so. Karl Henry Timmerman, the product of German immigration, was instrumental in securing victory over forces holding the Rhine Bridge in World War II, which broke open Germany’s defenses in the west. In doing so, Karl honorably served his country and created a legacy dictated by his actions and not those of his father.

Know Your Enemy, Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 6, 2020Germany, immigration, World War I, World War II, West Point, cancer, Karl Timmermann Memorial Bridge, Timmermann Theater, Korean War, Malmedy Massacre, Purple Heart, 3rd Infantry Division, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, Phantom Division

The Perseverance of Dreams

John William Bell loved the United States military. It shaped him and gave him opportunities he would not have otherwise had. He embraced the chance he was given and raised a family through hard work and dedication.

Obstacles & Opportunities, Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 6, 2020Civilian Conservation Corps, Buffalo Soldiers, segregation, Fort Logan Hospital, Grand Coulee Dam, 155 Coast Auxiliary Battery Division B, Buffalo Soldiers of the American West

From Tunnels to Tanks

Joe loved America and dedicated his entire life to serving and protecting his country. He served in the military for multiple decades and served the Denver community for 18 years afterwards with the Sheriff’s Department. Friends remember him for his smile and his pride to be an American.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 6, 2020Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield, Bronze Star, Oak Leaf Cluster, Denver Sheriff’s Department

Saving Lives in Service and Beyond

As an African American man growing up in the first half of the twentieth century, Edmond Forrest Noel faced obstacles that his white peers could never understand.

Lifetime of Service, Obstacles & OpportunitiesEsteban GomezOctober 25, 2020African American, Ku Klux Klan, World War II, Bronze Star, MASH Unit, NAACP, Historically Black College, HBCU, U.S. Army, physician, Pacific Theatre, segregation, Noel Resolution, Rachel Bassette Noel, Colorado Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Denver Owl Club

Lending a Helping Hand

Charles always had the urge to serve his country. His daughters, Patsy and Karen, said that their father was “a man of his time” and that serving in the military was never a question for him.

Lifetime of Service, Campus ConnectionsEsteban GomezOctober 25, 202016th Street Mall, University of Colorado Boulder, World War Two, Liberty ship, University of Denver Law School, Colorado, Colorado Legislative Council Highway Safety Committee; Fireman’s Museum of Colorado Springs

Three Wars from the Sky

Adventure and service have filled the lives of many, but few lives can match the action-packed life of Bill Myers. From a ranch up in the Rocky Mountains, to the war-torn skies above France, Korea, and Vietnam, to Saudi Arabia and back to Colorado, Myers lived a life that was nothing short of extraordinary. Beloved family and friends who treasured the veteran are the ones who continue his legacy to this day.

Lifetime of Service, Love War & a SuitcaseEsteban GomezOctober 25, 2020Buffalo Creek; Randolph-Macon Military Academy; Colorado Army National Guard; U.S. Army Air Corps; World War II; 511th Fighter Squad; P-47 Thunderbolt; Battle of the Bulge; Bar-le-Duc; F-100 Super Sabre; Thuy Hoa Air Base; Dahran Royal Saudi Air Force Base; Purple Heart; Bronze Star; Croix de Guerre

From D-Day to German Surrender

After the United States entered into the war, James was promptly transferred along with his division, the 29th Army, to England. As a Second Lieutenant, James would lead the 29th in the second wave of the Omaha Beach assault at Normandy.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezMay 15, 2020World War II, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, 29th Army, Pi Kappa Phi

Finding Her Way Back to Texas

Eileen Roth enlisted in the Navy on March 30, 1973 when she was 21 years old. She served as an enlisted hospital corpsman. Hospital corpsmen work with the United States Navy and Marine Corps as the primary medical caregivers to fleets and Marines.

Sisters in Service, Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezMay 10, 2020Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, United States Navy, Navy Corpsman

A Strong and Caring Man

When Ronald Lett enlisted in the United States Army at the age of seventeen, the country had just wrapped on the Korean War. When he enlisted, the young soldier had no way of knowing that the longest war in United States history was just around the corner.

Lifetime of Service, Love War & a SuitcaseEsteban GomezApril 25, 2020Korean War, Vietnam War, Indiana, Fort Amador, Pikes Peak Humane Society

A Heart Bigger Than This Nation

Stephen was killed protecting his country. He was a family man, who had been extremely driven and dedicated. He had been selfless, as he died so others could live even in a war zone.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezApril 25, 2020Royal High School, Simi Valley, Green Berets, Military Police, Operation Bright Star, 101st Airborne, 716th MP Battalion, Bronze Star Medal, Silver Star Medal, Logar Province, 2nd Battalion 10th Special Forces Group

Embracing Italian and Mexican Cultures

Emilio Alcaro was a man who led an interesting life. His love of other cultures and duty to protect were shown time and time again throughout his lifetime.

Love War & a Suitcase, Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezApril 25, 2020World War II, Italian, Mexican, Casa Mayan Restaurant & Cultural Center

Incredible Sacrifice

Max would, in the course of only a single year in Vietnam, receive two Combat Infantryman Badges, one Purple Heart, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, a Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and finally his widow Janis was awarded a Medal of Honor is his stead.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezApril 5, 2020Eugene Oregon, Medal of Honor, Vietnam War, 9th Infantry, Purple Heart, Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Undaunted Courage under Fire

Adams was a helicopter pilot, charged with the transportation of men and supplies across the entirety of the country. He deployed during the Counteroffensive Phase Three campaign in 1968 as a Major in the Transportation Corps, specifically in the 227th Aviation Battalion.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezApril 5, 2020Wentworth Military Academy, Colorado State University, Vietnam War, Medal of Honor, 227th Aviation Battalion

A Man Among Dough-Boys

While Dross may have enlisted in support of the Spanish-American War and missed it, the following years saw much more intense fighting in the Philippine-American War, wherein Dross did serve in the 30th United States Infantry regiment.

Lifetime of Service, Distant WarsEsteban GomezMarch 22, 2020Philippine-American War, Manifest Destiny, Coastal Artillery Corps, Fort Terry, Fort Trumbull, Fort HG Wright, World War I, 341st Machine Gun Regiment, Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Battle of St. Mihiel

The Right Thing To Do

Due to his knowledge of engineering and geology, Donald was put in the Army Corps of Engineers and worked on pontoon bridges in Europe.

Lifetime of Service, Campus ConnectionsEsteban GomezMarch 16, 2020University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, Army Corps of Engineers, Purple Heart

A Sense of Stability and Security

The military, for Richard Hawkins, was more than just service. It was his life-long career, his home, and his family as well as a comforting sense of stability and security. From his enlistment with his brother, to his military marriage, to his daughter’s enlistment in the Navy, and his use of the GI Bill to get an education, Richard’s life revolved around the military.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezFebruary 29, 2020World War II, Battle of the Bulge, Phan Rang Air Force Base, USNS James O'Hara, Vietnam War, E-9ers Association, Air Force Longevity Medal, Honor Bell Foundation