Here's how Pueblo plans to salute veterans who've died serving the U.S. on Memorial Day
The Home of Heroes is gearing up to host four Memorial Day observances to pay homage to the brave members of the armed forces who have died serving the United States.
The federal holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, honored the soldiers who died during the Civil War. It became an official holiday in 1971 and is a nationwide day of remembrance that's often observed by Americans visiting cemeteries or memorials, participating in parades and hosting family gatherings.
In Pueblo, four local observances are scheduled to pay tribute to local veterans on Monday, May 29.
Butch Chavez Memorial Day Ruck at Roselawn Cemetery & Memorial Gardens
1706 Roselawn Road | Registration 7 a.m.; 5K run, walk and ruck 8 a.m.; Memorial Day Ceremony 10 a.m. | Veterans Overcoming Obstacles and Roselawn are sponsoring the Butch Chavez Memorial Day Ruck, which is named for the late Pueblo veteran, veterans advocate and founder of the Pueblo POW/MIA Memorial.
A ruck is usually a fast-paced walk or run with participants carrying a rucksack, symbolizing the durable military backpack meant for carrying heavy loads that soldiers carried in combat.
Cost to participate in the ruck is $22 per person. Proceeds will benefit Veterans Overcoming Obstacles, a Pueblo West nonprofit organization that helps veterans fight Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and seeks to prevent veteran suicide through health and fitness. The organization's mission is one Chavez held in high regard.
Tickets for the ruck are available at eventbrite.com.
Following the ruck, the Memorial Day ceremony will celebrate Medal of Honor recipient and Civil War veteran Warren Dockum. Pvt. Dockum received the country's highest award for bravery during combat for his actions during the Battle of Sayler's Creek in Virginia on April 6, 1865.
Memorial Day Service at Pueblo Pioneer Cemetery
The plaza near the 20th and Montezuma entrance | 8:30 a.m. | Pueblo's oldest cemetery will be the site of an annual Memorial Day service featuring the posting of the colors by the Pueblo Ritual Team, prayers and songs to honor all who are buried at the cemetery.
Refreshments will be served after the ceremony, said Joe Talbott, president of the Pueblo Pioneer Cemetery Association.
Memorial Day Mass at Roselawn Cemetery
1706 Roselawn Road in front of the Bishops' Mausoleum | 10 a.m. | This event will feature a mass followed by a Knights of Columbus procession to the military section of the cemetery for blessing of the graves of fallen military members and their spouses. The blessing will be followed by a gunfire volley and Taps.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Bridge on the Riverwalk
Behind Brues Alehouse at the corner of Alan Hamel Avenue and South Main Street | 11 a.m. | The Pueblo Veterans Council will sponsor the Memorial Day Ceremony.
The event will feature opening remarks by Paul Hendricksen, a U.S. Army veteran, a chaplain's invocation, posting of colors by the Pueblo Fire Department and the National Anthem performed by Brandi Halvorson.
Speakers will be Brian McCain of the U.S. Air Force; Sal Katz, U.S. Army retired; "Beyond Belief - True Stories of Colorado Heroes That Defy Comprehension” Author Doug Sterner and Pueblo County Commissioner Zach Swearingen, who served in the U.S. Navy.
Pueblo police will give a 21-gun salute and Philip Ortiz-Gonzales will perform Taps.
More veteran news: Here's how a tribute to soldiers in the Battle of Mogadishu is helping a local veteran heal
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo to salute departed veterans with 4 events on Memorial Day
