thedrifter
05-17-09, 07:29 AM
Young Marines guard Vietnam Memorial
written by: Nelson Garcia Date last updated: 5/17/2009 12:05:56 AM
DENVER - Gabriel Gonzales has never had an assignment like this. He's been on fire watch before. He has taught his peers how to perform drills. But, now he must guard what some call a shrine of honor.
"It's overwhelming to know that people come here to mourn the loss of their comrades," said Gonzales.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is at INVESCO Field at Mile High for a three-day event in honor of U.S. Armed Forces Day. The tribute is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. which shows the names of 58,000 men and women lost in that conflict. Also on display, a tribute made up of dog tags for all those lost in conflicts after Vietnam.
Gonzales is a member of the Young Marines, a youth education and service program designed to teach boys and girls from ages 8-to-18 character and leadership. He is a Lance Corporal with the Rocky Mountain Unit. The units from Poudre Valley and Colorado Springs also came to Denver to protect the memorial.
They have set up camp in the parking lot to provide watch 24 hours a day until the wall packs up on Monday morning.
"This wall means a lot to a lot of people," said Private Robert Hernandez with the Rocky Mountain Unit. "If someone were to vandalize this wall, people would get really mad."
The Young Marines will work around the clock in shifts patrolling the entire area around the memorial and other displays.
"It's a little intimidating, but at the same time, you just have to do what you have to do," said Gonzales.
The Vietnam tribute is part of a larger event called The Civilian Top Gun Riding Competition. The T3RG Motorcycle Riding School organized the event to challenge riders to go through a slow-skills course.
The grand prizes are two motorcycles. It is all free and open to the public, but organizers are looking for donations to benefit a non-profit called Homes for Our Troops. This organization builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded service members.
"We need as a community to thank our veterans, that's why we did this," said Colleen Boyle, owner of T3RG Motorcycle School. "It's the heroes that we need to thank."
Gonzales says thanking those who gave their lives for our country is why he and his fellow Young Marines are willing to spend a few sleepless nights guarding a list of names.
"This is only a small step for what we can do for them," said Gonzales. "But, at the same time, I'm pretty sure they're very appreciative of us being here."
Ellie
written by: Nelson Garcia Date last updated: 5/17/2009 12:05:56 AM
DENVER - Gabriel Gonzales has never had an assignment like this. He's been on fire watch before. He has taught his peers how to perform drills. But, now he must guard what some call a shrine of honor.
"It's overwhelming to know that people come here to mourn the loss of their comrades," said Gonzales.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is at INVESCO Field at Mile High for a three-day event in honor of U.S. Armed Forces Day. The tribute is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. which shows the names of 58,000 men and women lost in that conflict. Also on display, a tribute made up of dog tags for all those lost in conflicts after Vietnam.
Gonzales is a member of the Young Marines, a youth education and service program designed to teach boys and girls from ages 8-to-18 character and leadership. He is a Lance Corporal with the Rocky Mountain Unit. The units from Poudre Valley and Colorado Springs also came to Denver to protect the memorial.
They have set up camp in the parking lot to provide watch 24 hours a day until the wall packs up on Monday morning.
"This wall means a lot to a lot of people," said Private Robert Hernandez with the Rocky Mountain Unit. "If someone were to vandalize this wall, people would get really mad."
The Young Marines will work around the clock in shifts patrolling the entire area around the memorial and other displays.
"It's a little intimidating, but at the same time, you just have to do what you have to do," said Gonzales.
The Vietnam tribute is part of a larger event called The Civilian Top Gun Riding Competition. The T3RG Motorcycle Riding School organized the event to challenge riders to go through a slow-skills course.
The grand prizes are two motorcycles. It is all free and open to the public, but organizers are looking for donations to benefit a non-profit called Homes for Our Troops. This organization builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded service members.
"We need as a community to thank our veterans, that's why we did this," said Colleen Boyle, owner of T3RG Motorcycle School. "It's the heroes that we need to thank."
Gonzales says thanking those who gave their lives for our country is why he and his fellow Young Marines are willing to spend a few sleepless nights guarding a list of names.
"This is only a small step for what we can do for them," said Gonzales. "But, at the same time, I'm pretty sure they're very appreciative of us being here."
Ellie