Soldier Stone Colorado – June 2020

Please, if you visit respect the place.

As I walked around this site, I felt both a sadness and joy. Sadness for the horrors of war but joy in discovering a memorial dedicated to fallen heroes. Impressed by some of the thoughts expressed by visitors in the logbooks. Many personal accounts of losing loved ones. The different languages expressing their thoughts on the stone markers makes one realize how many Nations and people were impacted by the War. A war that is a distant and faint memory for most people and many younger people are not even aware. The memorial sits at an elevation of 11,425 so be prepared to be short of breath.  It is a mysterious memorial devoted to the forgotten soldiers and civilians from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, France, and other nations who secretly fought alongside America during the war in Vietnam. 

When I first heard about this site, I knew I had to see it. Not far off a popular Colorado Hiking trail. I drove as far as I could go and then hiked in the last half mile. I have many friends that are veterans, and this place is special.  I will let the pictures tell the story. How did it all get to this mountain top? Who did it? Why?