Page 4A Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pueblo, Colorado
The Pueblo Chieftain FRANK S. HOAG, General Manager, Publisher, President—1904-1963
FRANK S. HOAG, JR., Chairman, Publisher, President—1931-1989
ROBERT H. RAWLINGS, Publisher and Editor
EDITORIAL
Patriotic Pueblo
T
HIS PAST week showed the world that Puebloans are as patriotic as they come while the community commemorated Veterans Day in a variety of ways. Starting on Nov. 6, the Veterans Day Parade which included active-duty personnel from Fort Carson, drew large crowds Downtown. The same day, a flagpole was dedicated at the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library so that, finally, Old Glory may welcome library patrons. Fort Carson soldiers participated in that program as well. On Thursday, Veterans Day, the longanticipated Veterans’ Bridge over the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo was dedicated for a crowd that some estimated to be nearly 10,000. They heard Pueblo Medal of Honor Recipient Drew Dix give the main speech. The bridge boasts the names of nearly 6,000 local military veterans, and people were signing up to purchase more plaques to commemorate friends and loved ones. One event was touching. Veteran Dana Bowman, who lost both legs and now walks on prostheses, parachuted into the dedication area carrying a huge American flag. Over the weekend, the bridge continued to draw people who wished to view the names and show their patriotism — their pride in those who’ve served in this nation’s military. We suspect it will continue to be an important draw at HARP, for Puebloans are rightly proud of the sons and daughters who have gone off to serve and protect this wonderful nation. Kudos to former District Attorney Gus Sandstrom, who conceived of the bridge. Additionally, Pueblo County Public Works Director Greg Severance helped garner federal matching funds for the project. On Friday and Saturday, attention turned to the new Center for American Values at 101 S.
Main St., which was founded by Mr. Dix and local dentist Adolph “Rudy” Padula. Emblazoned on the wall are the key virtues these gentlemen hope to instill around Colorado and the nation: Honor. Integrity. Patriotism. During a preview dedication on Friday, CNN news reporter Alex Quade, who hosted the program, noted that several Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were in the crowd, men who had protected her as she reported from combat areas. The program drew people from far and wide. There was retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Nicholas Keho, chief executive officer of the Medal of Honor Foundation. Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Burch, the senior enlisted man in the National Guard, told how he’d met Drew Dix when the Puebloan spoke to a Guard training session in the nation’s capital. Said Sgt. Maj. Burch: “It’s a credit to Pueblo that this is happening here.” He was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Dana Capozzella, commander of the Colorado National Guard. She added, “I’m certain other cities will want to copy this.” Messrs. Dix and Padula hope to host meetings of organizations from around the country that share those values and wish to spread them through the society. On Friday, Mr. Dix also visited local schools to teach students about those values. So, yes, Puebloans are among the most patriotic people in the United States, as the past week demonstrated. We hope there will be a national resurgence of appreciation for the Pueblo center’s core values. Honor. Integrity. Patriotism.