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Contributed by: Steve Shultz, YourHub.com on 8/11/2006

Family, friends and residents paid final tribute to a local soldier Aug. 8 and unveiled plans for the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument.

Army Staff Sgt. and Green Beret Christopher Falkel was killed in action Aug. 8, 2005, while serving in Afghanistan. Falkel graduated from ThunderRidge High School in 2001.

Falkel was honored with the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument reception, held Aug. 8 at the Highlands Ranch Library.

"This particular evening is of great importance," Jeff Alvis, chairman of the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument Committee, told the crowd of 140.

One year ago today, Alvis said, "Chris fought his last battle."

Alvis said the future Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument, to be located between the library and Civic Green Park, will serve as a reminder of Falkel's service to our country and a place to remember all veterans.

Jeff Falkel began the tribute by sharing with the audience his fondest memories of his son Chris. Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield, was one of his son's favorite books, Jeff Falkel said. The other was a highly classified sniper's manual.

"Chris was born to be a warrior," Jeff Falkel said. "As a child, Chris loved to play Army."

Jeff Falkel read passages from Gates of Fire, a novel about the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 B.C., comparing his son's bravery and strength to that of the Spartan officer Dienekes.

"Chris was a great athlete," Jeff said. "His strength and power were unmatched by anyone his size ... . No one needed to tell him what to do. He knew what needed to be done -- and he did it."

Jeff Falkel concluded his tearful speech by saying he looks forward to the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument and said veterans monuments should be erected in "every town of every state."

Alvis returned to the podium and said the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument Committee's goal is to make sure memories such as the Falkel's become etched in stone.

Alvis then asked for 30 seconds of silence to honor Chris Falkel.

Terry Nolan, vice chairman of the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument Committee and Metro Districts of Highlands Ranch general manager, said the monument will be a "proud edition to Civic Green and Highlands Ranch."

Nolan said the monument, which has been designed by Metro Districts park planning manager Brian Muller, will be enclosed by Colorado native rock walls and landscaping, with an arch at the entryway.

"The arch is symbolic of triumph in life and in death," Nolan said.

Other features of the monument, Nolan said, include five, large native rocks encasing emblems of each of the five branches of the armed forces, cascading water and a pond and a dedication wall to recognize veterans.

"Our armed forces' military operations on land, at sea and in the air will be represented by the rocks protruding from the ground, the water feature and the flags pointing to the sky," Nolan said.

The groundbreaking date of the monument will be determined when enough money is raised, said Jenn Garber, Metro Districts community relations coordinator.

Bob Steinle, liaison to the Highlands Ranch Park & Recreation Foundation, said the monument will be paid for entirely by private funding and will cost approximately $200,000.

"I believe that all of you can help us," Steinle said during the ceremony. "Tell everybody what's happened here in Highlands Ranch."

David Stark, Red Rocks Federal Credit Union of Highlands Ranch vice president of marketing and communication, gave the first donation toward the monument during the ceremony -- $1,000.

Dedication tiles, 4 by 8 inches and 8 by 8 inches, may be purchased for $200 and $500, respectively. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://veteransmonument.highlandsranch.org.

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Submitted By: Carrie Nortillo

posted on 8/12/2006 @ 10:11:52 AM

Rated Story

Thoughtful coverage of this special tribute.

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