Four men assigned to the USS Colorado were honored Sunday in Denver. The ship is the first to be named after the state in nearly 100 years.
“It’s incredible,” said Lt. JG Michael Nielson, one of two Colorado natives aboard the ship.
The men were tasked with presenting a wreath at a ceremony honoring the veterans who served before them, including the more than 80 that died on the USS Grayling in 1993.
“If you don't know where you came from how the heck do you know what you're going to do today or what you're going to do tomorrow,” said Bob Gerle, who served in the Navy in the 1950’s.
“Hits the heart. Brings back a lot of memories but hits the heart,” added Val Unrein, whose father, Edwin, was instrumental in creating one of Colorado’s naval monuments in Lakewood.
The four young men will have a busy week as they are expected to attend the Bolder Boulder 10K Navy Formation Run on Memorial Day. Later in the evening they’ll be honored as the Colorado Rockies Hero of the Game.
On Tuesday they will have a school talk at Widefield High School followed by a Cog Railway trip to the top of Pike's Peak (inspirational source for Zebulon Pike's "God Bless America").
On Thursday they have a special guest invitation to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation with keynote speaker President Barack Obama.
