The Weld County Veterans memorial is located in Greeley, Colorado near Bittersweet Park at the corner of 16th St. and 35th Ave. It is "dedicated to the men and women of Weld County who have served our country in times of peace and war, and especially to those who gave their lives".
Dedicated on Veterans Day in 1997, the memorial's 10th anniversary was celebrated on Veterans Day, 2007. Annual Memorial Day,Veterans Day, and Armed Forces Day ceremonies are held at the memorial.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a statue of Pvt. Joe P. Martinez of Ault, Colorado, the first Weld County resident to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The bronze plaque below the statue reads:
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
Private Joe P. Martinez, A.S. No. 37332507,
WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY
in the North American Area, May 26, 1943
HE STANDS IN THE UNBROKEN LINE OF PATRIOTS
WHO HAVE DARED TO DIE THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE,
AND GROW, AND INCREASE ITS BLESSINGS.
FREEDOM LIVES, AND THROUGH IT HE LIVES - IN A WAY
THAT HUMBLES THE UNDERSTANDINGS OF MOST MEN
Franklin D. Roosevelt
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The memorial includes granite slabs commemorating many of the theaters of war in US military history, along with brief narratives. Also displayed are the names of the men and women from Weld County who served in each of these conflicts.
Famous quotes containing the words county, veterans and/or memorial:
“But I would say to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“[Veterans] feel disappointed, not about the 1914-1918 war but about this war. They liked that war, it was a nice war, a real war a regular war, a commenced war and an ended war. It was a war, and veterans like a war to be a war. They do.”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
“When I received this [coronation] ring I solemnly bound myself in marriage to the realm; and it will be quite sufficient for the memorial of my name and for my glory, if, when I die, an inscription be engraved on a marble tomb, saying, “Here lieth Elizabeth, which reigned a virgin, and died a virgin.””
—Elizabeth I (1533–1603)