Veterans Echoes Columns

One of the many enjoyable aspects of interviewing veterans over the years is realizing just how many amazing people who have done incredible things, walk among us. Case in point is Irvin Nelson. When you pull up to his farm out side Ault and start talking with him, you think you’re just talking to a hardworking, salt of the earth, retired farmer … (read more…)

Del Ritchhart had a fascinating and distinguished twenty-four-year Navy career. He served most of it in Naval Intelligence, primarily in anti-submarine warfare. This cat and mouse game with the Soviets took him all throughout the Pacific. He finished his career as Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC. One assignment in this long … (read more…)

Honoring our veterans is a common thread that has long weaved through Matt Voris’ life. Military service runs deep in his family. Wanting to honor that family legacy and in particular his grandfather, a Pearl Harbor survivor and huge influence in his life, Matt served seven years in the Army. This thread didn’t end though on his discharge date. … (read more…)

George Norton acquired the nickname “One Shot Norton” during the invasion of Okinawa. George was a gunner aboard the merchant ship SS Josiah Snelling and was credited with shooting down a Japanese Kamikaze plane. The shots he took in the Pacific were a far cry from the ones he took back in Kansas. They both shared the common thread of being … (read more…)

Upon graduating from college, Richard Hough assessed his situation regarding military service, as the Korean War had been raging for two years. His exempt status had now ended, and not wanting to wait to be drafted, he enlisted in the Army. He chose and was accepted into the ASA (Army Security Agency). This choice, and the experiences it brought, … (read more…)

Steve Mulvihill served two tours in Vietnam. The first was aboard the USS Skagit, where he served on the landing boats delivering supplies up rivers to bases. The downside to this tour was being shot at like a moving duck on the shooting gallery at a carnival. The upside was the ports of call the ship made in Asian countries.

[caption … (read more…)

Jeff Gruver loved aviation from an early age. He had model airplanes hanging from his bedroom ceiling at age six and at twelve built his own hang glider. Coupling this with the fact his dad was career Air Force, Jeff naturally gravitated to the Air Force. Jeff was flying his beloved T-38 supersonic jet trainer when engine trouble caused him to make … (read more…)

World War II Marine Corporal Veteran Harry Gunther fought in four battles, his last ending by being medically evacuated
off Iwo Jima, and he received two Purple Hearts. While telling his story, he said, “I joined the Marines because I liked the Dress Blues. 2 ½ years, four battles, and two Purple Hearts and I never got a chance to wear those … (read more…)

Fort Collins resident Bill Powell was a B-24 bomber pilot in WWII. When he arrived in Europe after training, Bill and his crew began flying missions out of Italy. He was now on his 10th mission and everything seemed to be going smooth. After dropping their bombs on the rail yards in Munich, the formation began their return to base.

[caption … (read more…)

Dwayne Webster wanted to leave school and join the Navy. Being 17, he would need his parents’ permission. His father signed the enlistment papers, a decision that would haunt him the rest of his life. Dwayne enlisted on December 7, 1940. One year to the day he enlisted, December 7, 1941, Dwayne along with 1176 other sailors were killed when … (read more…)

Bob Loner left a carefree childhood to go off to a highly structured high school to study to become a priest. After his senior year, he realized the priesthood wasn’t for him and he scrambled to get into a college to avoid the draft. Bob feels very fortunate in this turn of events as he met the love of his life, Mary Kay, got a great … (read more…)

Doug Enders had a front-row seat to and took part in, some major historical events of the 20th Century. Doug enlisted in the Marines before America’s involvement in World War II. This took him to an assignment in Iceland and he was there when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Shortly after, he was sent back to the States and then on to the Pacific. He … (read more…)