GOLDEN, Colo. (7/17/10) – It was a dry, hot day with temperatures rising over 95 degrees across Colorado, when motorcycles lined the parking lot at Camp George West, waiting to be ridden across three counties in a commemorative rally to honor the forthcoming Colorado Military History Center here.
The CMHC is a joint effort being undertaken by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1 and the Colorado National Guard to study and preserve Colorado’s military and veteran histories and educate the general public on this important cultural aspect of Colorado’s Heritage. Camp George West was founded in 1903 and was to serve as the Colorado National Guard’s permanent range and training facility.
Many Guardsmen and community members were on hand for the event and couldn’t wait to ride with the wind and celebrate the Colorado National Guard’s 150th anniversary.
More than 50 motorcyclists rallied along the route, from Camp George West, over the streets of Denver all the way to Kiowa and back. The ride encompassed several historical stops along the route, where CONG Command Historian Master Sgt. David Schmidt and others gave a brief history of the Colorado National Guard at each waypoint.
From Camp George West, the riders travelled to the former site of Camp Weld in Denver, where there was a brief history lesson of the camp, and where all that’s left now is a 7-foot stone depicting the establishment of the camp for the Colorado Civil War volunteers. The next two stops were to the Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, where Schmidt emphasized the roles of some key CONG members who had greatly impacted Colorado military history – starting as early the Spanish American War in 1898. The tour proceeded to the Kiowa Town Hall in Elbert County where a presentation was given on the Indian Wars. The last stretch of the tour circled back to the Old Stone Armory in Golden, and ended with an end-of-rally party at Coors Brewery nearby.
“Thank you to all the riders, companies and people who donated items,” wrote Schmidt on the CONG’s official Facebook page.
“I enjoyed the ride because of the history lessons and the guest speakers that were eager to share their stories and answer questions,” said Spc. Armando Skeen, a rider representing of the Colorado Army National Guard help desk.
Throughout the bike ride at each stop there was a poker run, so that by the end of the trip, whoever received the best hand was given a prize. Additionally, a ticket drawing was held. The prizes awarded were donated by sponsors and friends of veterans.
In total, more than $3,200 was raised for the CMHC.