On Nov. 18, members of the Blue Star Mothers, Montezuma County VFW Post 5231, its Ladies Auxiliary, DAV Chapter 44, and American Legion Post 75, and members of the local community welcomed three CH-47 Chinook helicopters and three UH-60 Black Hawks to the Cortez airport.
The crews are part of the reactivated 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division of Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs, and are known as “Clydesdales.” Many of the crew members have served aviation missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some have served as many as three or more tours.
The Blue Star Mothers knew about the Clydesdales’ arrival on the 18th and telephoned and Facebooked community members to welcome the warriors to Cortez. The crowd anticipating the arrival of the Chinooks and Black Hawks gathered in front of a hangar door, avoiding the cold westerly wind. The Chinooks soon came into view from the southwest, at the toe of Ute Mountain. On approach, the wash from the twin rotors of the Chinooks raised dust and caused static electricity, which makes dust cling to clothing, hair and eyeglasses – anything that is in the wash limit. After the craft cooled and shut down, crews were able to disembark. The Black Hawks arrived some 45 minutes later to the same welcome.
After handshakes, introductions and hugs, crowd members were invited to tour the helicopters and talk with crew members. With American flags and signs welcoming the soldiers to our corner of Colorado, crew members smiled as they disembarked. It’s not often that we get the opportunity to welcome soldiers home if only for a moment. I know a grandmother and grandfather who were pleased to see their grandson for that hour. I don’t know how many times these soldiers get a welcome and a thank you for doing their job, but they’ll remember arriving in Cortez on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
As the Chinooks lifted off, noses pointing toward the earth with swirls of static dirt filling the air, many watched as the helicopter became specks in the sky, heading east over the San Juans, and I wondered how that Chinook flies as does the dragonfly. The Black Hawks ascended much faster and trailed the Chinooks by a few minutes, hoping to catch and land at the same time. It’s a convoy not limited to tarmac, only blue sky and a direction to lead the Clydesdales to their stable to be ready for their next mission. Thank you for your service.
Craft fair and Outreach Center
The third annual DAV Chapter 44 Craft Fair will be Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Montezuma County Annex. All proceeds go to fund projects of the local DAV Chapter.
The Veterans Outreach Center is now in operation for all veterans and their families who need assistance or just want to stop by for a visit. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Outreach Center is at 7 W. First Street. For information on the craft fair or Outreach Center, call 970-560-2793.
The Montezuma County VFW Post 5231 and its Ladies Auxiliary will honor our Korean War Veterans with a luncheon on Pearl Harbor Day, Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Montezuma County Annex.
The veterans will be presented with certificates of Meritorious Service. Family members are encouraged to submit names of Korean War veterans who wish to receive a certificate and attend. Please submit their names no later than Friday, Nov. 28. Call 970-560-6270 or 970-560-6375.
Robert Valencia is a retired Army Sergeant First Class, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He can be reached at 970-560-1891. Listen to Veterans Forum the last Friday of the month at 8:30am on KSJD Radio FM 90.5/91.5