October 31, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 9, Issue 23
NO NEED TO PIRATE CANDY
Looking back on Rocky Flats Institute launches new exhibit By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
Happily, characters of all ages came out to trick or treat Friday in Olde Town Arvada. Here, a young girl receives a piece of candy. Photo by Crystal Anderson
In times of war, everyone has a part to play, from fighting on the front lines to building weapons parts and supplies, each individual has a story. And for the workers at Rocky Flats, it’s time for their stories be told. To honor those who were nuclear weapons workers and uranium miners during the Cold War, the Rocky Flats Institute and Museum and the Cold War Patriots held a celebration at 5690 Webster St., Oct. 25. The event, which was held as part of the National Day of Remembrance, also acted as the launch for the museum’s new exhibit, “I Remember Rocky: Rocky Flats History Retold, 1951-1959”. This exhibit examines the story of Rocky Flats from the worker’s perspective, and is part of a larger concept to share the history of the nuclear weapons plant from all angles. “They lived extraordinary lives,” said Executive Director of Rocky Flats Institute and Museum, Conny Bogaard. “They were a worker inside the fence, and then when they left they had to become part of the community.” Focusing on the construction and production era, the exhibit will feature more than 100 interviews with workers, letters, testimonies and photographs from former workers among other artifacts. “You could pick up a magazine and learn all about Rocky Flats, but I get to read these letters and learn about these people,” said Teresa Wells, a volunteer with the museum. “I am able to share a little about these individuals lives who were involved in all things with Rocky Flats.” For many former workers, talking about Rocky Flats, wasn’t an option. They weren’t allowed to talk about the work they did or about what was happening behind the walls at Rocky Flats, but many felt their work was important and now they want the public to know about it. Flats continues on Page 23
Nonprofit gives back to veterans Arvada nonprofit, U.S. Warriors Outdoors, reignites passion within U.S. Veterans. By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
Veteran Jean Plank, U.S. Warriors Outdoors Program Director Bill Dorris, Veteran Mike Cini, and U.S. Warriors Outdoors Founder Gene Palumbo show off a few of the turkeys they killed during this hunting trip. Photo by NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
While sitting in a tree stand in Nebraska 10 years ago, Gene Palumbo had an idea which established a nonprofit organization that has since changed dozens of United States veterans lives. U.S. Warriors Outdoors is an organization which gives back to veterans by helping them to reconnect and interact with their passions through outdoor activities
such as fishing, hunting and hiking. “There’s something about getting these guys outside that allows them to do something they’ve never done before or something they used to enjoy doing,” said Gene Palumbo, U.S. Warriors Outdoors founder. “It helps them to relax and purge while enNonprofit continues on Page 23
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