This Memorial Day weekend, the Colorado Freedom Memorial is not just celebrating its 12th anniversary; it's also marking a major historical milestone, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The annual event, titled "Colorado Remembers", kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and packs the day with a slew of activities, culminating in a remembrance ceremony. According to the City of Aurora, the event, which is free to enter, though donations are welcome, serves to honor the sacrifice of Colorado's military personnel.
The breakfast, set to last until 10 a.m., offers neighbors and families a chance to mingle with historic military vehicles, meet feathered ambassadors from the Air Force Academy, and view exclusive military artifacts. The All-American Big Band is slated to provide a live soundtrack to the morning's events, generating a touch of nostalgia against a backdrop of historic remembrance. Moving through the day, the ceremony at the heart of the event will feature a military flyover and other traditional acts of military respect, such as the tolling of the Honor Bell and a Howitzer salute courtesy of the Colorado Army National Guard.
Post-ceremony, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees are afforded the opportunity to get up close with static military displays and take guided tours of the memorial itself. Notably, a steel beam from the fateful USS Arizona, destroyed at Pearl Harbor, will be present, a somber yet significant piece that will soon find a permanent home within the yet-to-be-completed Colorado Freedom Memorial Visitor Center, which broke ground this month.
World War II vets are particularly encouraged to attend the event, where they will receive special honors. The Colorado Freedom Memorial has extended an invitation for these veterans to be a central part of the day. Anyone with connections to World War II veterans, or veterans themselves, are welcome to reach out for more information on participating in this poignant day of remembrance.
