Rocky Mountain Eagles Gather for Veteran's Day 2005

These pictures were taken at our 2005 Veteran's Day gathering in Denver and Golden, Colorado.  Chapter members gathered early on Saturday, November 5th to participate in the Denver Veteran's Day Parade.  After the parade we paused for some liquid refreshment at VFW Post #1, and then traveled to Golden for the remaining activities which included lunch at the Golden Hotel, a tour of Coors Brewery, and a small hospitality room for those that stayed over.  The days events were patterned so members could attend some or all of the scheduled activities.

Early gathering at VFW Post #1 in Denver, CO.  The morning was chilly and finally rained before the parade started.  They say if you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 15 minutes.  Left to Right - John Thompson, Chris McEwan, Frank Lett, Gene Standish, Margareta Standish, Erika Somers, Hilde Lagasca, and Bill Somers.
Making preparations for the parade (Larry Frazier and Rick Wertz)
Waiting for the parade to begin - soggy but unbroken spirits!
L to R - Otto Smolik, Randy Kirby, Bob Burnham, and John Thompson.
Bill Somers, Les Kennedy, and Gene Standish rode in the 1942 Ford owned and restored by Chuck Sylvester.  Chuck is from LaSalle, CO and volunteered his time and vehicle so our veterans could ride in the parade.  Thanks Chuck!
Marvin Wakeman, Steve Mullineaux, Frank Lett, and Chris McEwan rode in the lead truck.
This trailer transports all the flags, and is pulled behind the truck in the parade.
70 - 3' x 5' Flags on on these trailers that are towed by a garden tractor.
Rick Wertz driving his tractor and pulling the flag trailers.  Rick created and built our Weld County Veterans Memorial in Greeley, CO and does about a dozen parades each year.  The Rocky Mountain Eagles Chapter thank him for allowing us to accompany him and his equipment in the Denver parade.
After the parade, we almost lost Randy Kirby walking back to the VFW.  He mentioned something about being a few years younger and kept losing concentration.  These young ladies were in front of us in the parade, and are named "The Belles".
We originally had reservations to eat lunch at the historic Old Capital Grill in Golden, but it had a major fire two days before we gathered.  These next few pictures show this historic building about a month before the fire.
Lunch was rescheduled at the Golden Hotel in Golden, Colorado just a block or two from our original location.
Waiting for our group tour at Coors Brewery, Golden, CO.
Free samples after the tour hit the spot!  L to R - Emmett Barry, Bill Somers, Steve Mullineaux, Randy Kirby, Rick Wertz, and Otto Smolik
Several chapter members spent the night in Golden at the Day Inn for some hospitality, war stories, and a great breakfast on Sunday morning before heading home.  A good time was had by all that attended.

Page created by L. Frazier 11-15-05

Photos provided by Randy Kirby, Lorraine Thompson, and Larry Frazier.  Feel free to make copies for your own use.