Commemorating Memorial Day, Message of Life Ministries in Loveland hosted two Gold Star families who gave presentations of their sons killed in military action. Church parishioners Yvonne Paez and Soloman Martinez (both veterans) host this event annually.
Solomon Martinez & Yvonne Paez
Bob Conde provided his son’s story as a youngster until his untimely death. Gabriel (Gabe) David Conde (1995-2018) was considered a young warrior. As a fifth grader, he protected kids in his neighborhood and at school from older bullies. Being a devoted Christian, he enjoyed going on mission trips for his church to Mexico and helping the local people there.
Gabe joined the Army and trained to be an airborne green beret soldier. He was deployed to Afghanistan and helped train the Afghanistan Special forces, whom he made friends with.
Army Spc Gabe Conde
Sadly, Gabe was killed in action during his deployment there. In his honor, a part of Hwy 287 is named in his honor between Berthoud and Longmont as the Gabe Conde Memorial Highway. Also, the Loveland VFW awards a scholarship in his name too. Bob explained that Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross as Gabe had done for his country.
Maggie Walsh presented her story about her son, Sgt. Nicolas (Nick) Walsh (1980-2007). Nick always wanted to be in the military as many of his relatives had served too. His dad was also a police officer. Nick joined the Marines after high school for four years and served at Camp Pendleton. He re-enlisted and was deployed on his second tour to Iraq during the Gulf War, where he was killed in action. He leaves behind a loving wife and two sons.
Marine Sgt. Nick Walsh
Sadly as Maggie indicated, most Americans didn’t appreciate our involvement in the Iraqi War, but the Iraqis were most appreciative of our military keeping peace in the region during those turbulent times. In Nick’s honor at Veterans Plaza in Fort Collins, the street from Horsetooth Road to the Plaza is named in Nick’s honor!
Marine Sgt. Nick Walsh
50 Plus honors these two fallen heroes with our sorrow to these and other Gold Star families for their loss! Article by photo-journalist Bob Larson