Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation Unveils "Coming Soon" Sign at Memorial Site
Secretary of State Mike Coffman Provides Keynote Address
THORNTON, Colorado - August 15, 2007 - The Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation conducted a ceremony to unveil a "coming soon" sign at the memorial site. The sign, located at the intersection of 108 th Avenue and Garfield Street, will serve as a highly visible reminder about the project to the community.
The ceremony was held with a degree of formalness much like similar military events. The event started with the presentation of colors by Northglenn American Legion Post 22 Color Guard, commanded by Rick Reeser. The national anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Tony Hake, Chairman of the Thornton Veterans Memorial presided over the event and provided initial commentary reminding those in attendance of the significance of the date - V J Day - and the sacrifices that all veterans have made (see excerpts below). Marty Wisniewski, Thornton's Mayor Pro Tem, spoke next and highlighted what the memorial means to him and to Thornton, a city founded by veterans of World War II.
The keynote address was provided by Secretary of State Mike Coffman who is also Honorary Chairperson of the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation. Secretary Coffman, a decorated combat veteran, served in the Army and the Marines, twice volunteering to return to active duty; first in 1991 to serve in the Persian Gulf War and again in 2006 to serve in Iraq and help that country hold its first free elections.
His address highlighted how important it is to honor our nation's veterans. Secretary Coffman provided the most poignant moment of the day when he relayed a story about the honor shown to those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and the journey they take to be returned home to their loved ones. In comments after the ceremony, Secretary Coffman said, "even though there is division in this country about supporting the war, there is not division in terms of supporting those that have to go and fight this war."
The unveiling was attended by numerous area dignitaries including State Representatives Judy Solono and John Soper, Adams County Treasurer Diane Christner, Thornton City Councilperson Jan Bach and Terry Melonakis from the North Metro Chamber of Commerce. Sending their best wishes but unable to attend were United States Senator Ken Salazar, State Senator Stephanie Takis, Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr and Adams County Assessor Gil Reyes.
The Thornton Veterans Memorial also thanked those that have helped them with the project and this event so far including Wayne Dodge, owner of Dodge Signs that donated the sign. Tony Hake also thanked Thornton city staff for their help, the Northglenn American Legion and of course the volunteers that make up the Foundation and who are working so hard to make the project a reality.
About the volunteers, Hake said, "These men and women have made significant contributions of time to ensure this veterans memorial is built. They do this purely as volunteers, recognizing the need to honor our nation's veterans. We have come a long ways thanks to all of them and while we have a ways to go, they all have the dedication to see the project through to the finish."
Hake continued, "Now more than every we need area citizens, organizations and businesses to step forward and help us make this memorial a reality. I encourage everyone to contact us to see how they can help."
The event was covered by KMGH channel 7 and KWGN channel 2 and shown on their nightly newscasts. It will also be seen on Thornton's community cable channel.
Excerpts from Tony Hake's Comments
On this date 62 years ago, we saw the greatest conflict to ever occur come to an end. At 12:00 noon, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced the Japanese surrender and brought an end to World War II. Over 16 million men and women served in the armed forced during that conflict, 400,000 of them paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Since the birth of this nation, millions across this country have answered the call to duty; many have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Hero is a word used entirely too often these days and the meaning of it has been diminished as a result. Make no mistake though; these men and women, the veterans of this nation's armed forces, are true heroes. These are the heroes that that are buried in national cemeteries across this nation and interred on foreign shores on battlefields christened with the blood of their sacrifice. These are the heroes that lived through events many of us cannot comprehend; that walk among us today, some of whomI now see before me asI look out at this crowd.
Those that have served believed in a cause that is greater than themselves. They believed they had a debt to pay for everything this nation has given them. They are proud to join the company of other heroes who have helped to keep our country safe, keep us free, and preserve our way of life through the generations. They didn't sit at home and merely pay lip service to the words honor, courage, commitment, and country. They lived them!
It is for them, and for every man and woman who has served this nation in uniform that we gather today and that we hope to build this memorial for. Quite simply, there is no higher calling to service than to serve in the armed forces of the United States of America.
About the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation
Founded in 2005, the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established by citizens of Thornton, Colorado with the sole purpose of building and maintaining a veterans memorial. Our nation's veterans have served and protected the United States for 230 years. They have made sacrifices small and large, all to ensure the freedom of this great nation. A fitting and proper tribute within our city is a small way of showing our appreciation for their service. Privately funded and created, the Foundation endeavors to make this memorial a reality for the city, its citizens and all veterans.
The memorial will pay tribute to all veterans of the past, present and future. Located near the Thornton Recreation Center at 108 th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, the memorial will be centrally located and easily accessible from anywhere in the north metro area. The design, based on a five point star with each point representing each branch of military service, will be over 150 feet in diameter. A pentagon and five-sided obelisk will be in the center of the memorial with individual monuments for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard surrounding it.
To learn more about the Foundation and the memorial project, please visit our website at
http://www.thorntonveteransmemorial.org.