Pueblo, Colo.  (11/11/10) – Southern Coloradoans and servicemembers from every branch were on hand to dedicate the Pueblo Veteran’s Bridge in honor of veterans at a ceremony on Veterans Day at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. 

The newly completed bridge spans a section of the river walk and contains the emblems of every branch of service and over 6000 names etched in stone in two pyramid shaped memorials at each end of the bridge. 

In addition to numerous speakers, military and civilian dignitaries, the ceremony included color guard teams from every branch of service presenting their service flags, a fly over from Doss Aviation, and Dana Bowman, the Army Golden Knight who lost his legs in a sky diving accident, sky dived into the ceremony and carried the Purple Heart flag to the bridge amidst thunderous applause. 

While the Fort Carson mounted color guard had the honor of placing the Army flag, members of the Colorado Army National Guard honor guard hoisted the U.S. and Colorado flags. Governor Bill Ritter Jr. presented the flags. 

“It was great to see all the community leaders come out to support veterans.  I was also pleased to see such a strong Guard presence,” said, Sgt. 1st Class Sam Baker, a COARNG recruiter.  Baker was the spearhead of the COARNG’s involvement in the event.  

The COARNG’s involvement was involvement was significant.  Members of the 188 Forward Support Company and 147th Brigade Support Battalion set up a mobile kitchen trailer and cooked breakfast and lunch for almost 4000 ceremony participants.  Retired Sgt. 1st Class James Gaudet sang the National Anthem. The COARNG’s Honor guard presented the Colors and an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter was on display.