The Legacy of the 10th Mountain Division and the Ski Trooper
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A plant’s roots can tell us so much about the history of that plant, including how it has adapted to survive in its environment. The same is true for human history. Buried away like the roots of a plant in the pages of books, old films and photos, is the history of the human race waiting to divulge itself. Several years ago I tackled a personal goal, which had been on my bucket list for years. I just needed the right combination of relationships to come together in order for it to come to life. Recently the synergy clicked and my goal of sharing a moment of human history fell into place. The partnerships arrived from those that found an importance in what I was doing. These supporters pushed me to put forth actions instead of words. With major support from the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, Warren Miller Entertainment and financial grants from a couple of foundations, a documentary film project to life. The period of our history I wanted to focus on has had a direct effect on where our ski industry is today. They were a population of men that came into existence between the years of 1941 – 1945 by an executive order from the President himself. I wanted to show gratitude and pay tribute to these men of our past while engaging the future. Thus came to be our project of documenting this group of men known as the 10th Mountain Division. This fall my segment for the annual Warren Miller film titled “FLOW STATE” will pay tribute to the men of the 10th Mountain Division and Camp Hale. This will be followed by a longer more detailed documentary of the 10th. In all two projects are being created. I’m proud to be an American and am really intrigued by our skiing heritage. The story of its evolution is parallel with the industrial boom in our country, post-World War II. This is a time when America prospered and leisure time activities became an industry of their own.
Who was the 10th Mountain Division?
Machine Gun Ridge - Camp Hale, Braden Gunem
Many Coloradoans are aware of the 10th logo or have seen its affiliation with numerous entities such as license plates, restaurants, highways, the hut system – but not many know why.