AURORA, Colo. - While others enjoyed a sunny day, they flocked by the hundreds to an historic old military hangar to remember some of the country's darkest days.
Veterans and family members of multiple generations, some of whom were stationed at the old Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, gathered at Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Wednesday to honor Coloradans from seven wars who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"My family has served in two wars, Korea and World War II, so I always remember ( Veterans Day)" said Sgt. Andrew Patterson, who is on active duty in the Army.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the tribute that's being paid, justly so, to the men and women who have given so much for our freedom," said Bernie Langfield, whose husband, Lt. James Shelton Doyle died while protecting his men in Belgium during a skirmish with German snipers during World War II.
40 years later, the sister of a fallen soldier from the Vietnam War also paused to pay tribute.
"The greatest thing that I can do is to give my life for my country,' so I know what 'Buddy' would say. 'It was worth it, because that's what I lived for,'" said Sharon D'Angelo, whose brother, Lt. J.G. Bernie Duane Pyeatt, died when his fighter plane exploded in flames on board the U.S.S. Enterprise while on his 81st combat mission in Vietnam.
Heroes from America's most recent conflicts were also honored. Among them, a medic who died caring for wounded Marines in Ramadi, Iraq.
"I think of him and it's wonderful that people remember," said Rick Anderson, whose son, Navy Corpsman Christopher "Doc" Anderson, insisted on being assigned to a Marine combat unit so he could use his skills where they were most needed.
"When I think of him I think of the faces of the guys in his squad that we've had chance to meet and all the men and women that are currently still in harm's way."
Anderson says his family has received generous support from their community in Longmont and is trying to do anything it can to help returning troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while supporting those still there.
Those who gathered at Wings over the Rockies promised these heroes will not be forgotten as they try to raise money to build the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora.
It's an effort that began before 9/11 and is still only around half way toward its financial goal. The plan is to construct it with the names of all of Colorado's fallen war veterans in a park near Alameda and the Aurora City Complex.
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Veterans and family members of multiple generations, some of whom were stationed at the old Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, gathered at Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Wednesday to honor Coloradans from seven wars who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"My family has served in two wars, Korea and World War II, so I always remember ( Veterans Day)" said Sgt. Andrew Patterson, who is on active duty in the Army.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the tribute that's being paid, justly so, to the men and women who have given so much for our freedom," said Bernie Langfield, whose husband, Lt. James Shelton Doyle died while protecting his men in Belgium during a skirmish with German snipers during World War II.
40 years later, the sister of a fallen soldier from the Vietnam War also paused to pay tribute.
"The greatest thing that I can do is to give my life for my country,' so I know what 'Buddy' would say. 'It was worth it, because that's what I lived for,'" said Sharon D'Angelo, whose brother, Lt. J.G. Bernie Duane Pyeatt, died when his fighter plane exploded in flames on board the U.S.S. Enterprise while on his 81st combat mission in Vietnam.
Heroes from America's most recent conflicts were also honored. Among them, a medic who died caring for wounded Marines in Ramadi, Iraq.
"I think of him and it's wonderful that people remember," said Rick Anderson, whose son, Navy Corpsman Christopher "Doc" Anderson, insisted on being assigned to a Marine combat unit so he could use his skills where they were most needed.
"When I think of him I think of the faces of the guys in his squad that we've had chance to meet and all the men and women that are currently still in harm's way."
Anderson says his family has received generous support from their community in Longmont and is trying to do anything it can to help returning troops from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while supporting those still there.
Those who gathered at Wings over the Rockies promised these heroes will not be forgotten as they try to raise money to build the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora.
It's an effort that began before 9/11 and is still only around half way toward its financial goal. The plan is to construct it with the names of all of Colorado's fallen war veterans in a park near Alameda and the Aurora City Complex.
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