Hidden VN Memorial in CO

[Hoser John]

Amazing-RIP brave soldiers-John

Premium Member


Very interesting if you have been there or lost someone in Vietnam. Cycle ride from Tomichi Creek off of Highway 50 near Gunnison, CO up to the Continental Divide, people have found this war memorial tucked away in seclusion. You won't find it on any maps. An old local at the Tomichi Trading Post said the Park Rangers keep it off maps...the story is that a Vietnam Vet somehow used a chopper to sneak the pieces in. This memorial is off a high plateau near Gunnison, CO and it is indeed up in the air (notice the only trees in the video are spruce/fir, only found between 9,000' and tree line). It is as much a mystery here as anywhere. This is really something else..video is about five minutes, but very impressive memorial. This video was taken by some dirt bike riders along the Continental Divide, who stumbled upon a Vietnam memorial in the woods. Whoever did it, put a lot of time and money into it. Evidently hunters and possibly some Vets must be aware of it as there are numerous 30.06 rounds and good luck coins on the ledges between the stones. Who built it and how did it get there? In the middle of nowhere! It's a mystery!!



http://www.youtube.c...p?v=axhZ0Tx2L4U

[russau]

SALUTE to this American that did the right thing! the video didn't open for me but I very much like the character of this unknown true American man!

[dickb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axhZ0Tx2L4U

Try this link.

Dickb

[Hoser John]

Thanx much Dick,worked for me but so many systems now-anyhow really wanted this to be seen,thanx again-John

[russau]

yep thanks Dick for the link! what a American way of doing things!!!!! I SALUTE this unkown American for doing the right thing and getting it done in a PERFECT location!

[Hoser John]

I wish someone would fess up so I could contribute to upkeep and expansion but I guess it's just one man's solem vision,by god gotta respect that-John

[russau]

If im not mistaken it is unlawfull to erect any thing like this on public land! BUT Im one that is glad they did do so! and so they keep it to themselves in honor of those that gave so much! SALUTE!

[Gold Seeker]

"Soldierstone" was the brainchild of LTC Beckley, a Special Forces Officer and was erected in 1995, LTC Beckley didn't actually construct any of the monument and never even visited it because he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was wheelchair bound around the time of the beginning of construction, he died of shortly after the construction of the memorial was complete, he did however see photos of the finished project and finance the entire cost of the construction which was done by a local granite company and numerous Veterans and volunteers, LTC Beckley passed away on November 5, 1995.

http://warriorsremembered.com/blog/viet ... continued/

"Vietnam Mystery Memorial — SOLDIERSTONE continued
OCTOBER 13, 2014 BY ANAHAS
Continuing the story of the Vietnam mystery memorial on the Continental Divide near Saguache, CO. More of this amazing story. #Vietnam mystery memorial #SOLDIERSTONE
The video sent last week shows much of the main memorial surrounded by a triangular stone wall representing the small Special Forces outposts of Indochina, but SOLDIERSTONE is also is encircled by 36 granite plaques (quote stones) each with a different inscription and in nearly a dozen languages. Future blogs will contain a photograph and translation of each of these stones. Here again is the video showing some of them. http://goo.gl/8fle2k
Created by LTC Stuart A. Beckley of San Antonio, Texas, SOLDIERSTONE was never visited by its creator. LTC Beckley, an Army Special Forces officer, spent 12 years in Vietnam and wanted this memorial to be a tribute to American warriors and those from every country who fought with them in the Indochina wars. He also wished to fulfill his promise that their sacrifice would not be forgotten. His idea took shape over 25 years and was to have a companion piece; a book entitled Leaves of Stone with stories of some of these warriors. (I can find no record that the book was ever published.) From hundreds of people interested in the SOLDIERSTONE project, Colonel Beckley received unsolicited encouragement, creative ideas, time, and in kind labor and material support, though he personally bore the entire cost of the memorial. Comrades, a local granite monument company and members of a near by Special Forces unit volunteered to carry out the construction in the summer of 1995. Though he saw photos of the completed memorial, LTC Beckley never traveled to the site because at the time he was wheelchair bound with terminal cancer. He passed away on November 5, 1995.
The main memorial has as a foundation the values of the warriors he chose to honor: Courage, Sacrifice, Valor and Honor and has inscribed the three countries of Indochina – Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is topped with what appears to be a 40mm mortar, predating the most active American involvement. Visitors have left their own tributes with coins or live rounds showing respect for the site and leaving it undisturbed."

http://warriorsremembered.com/blog/sold ... the-story/

"SOLDIERSTONE — continuing the story
NOVEMBER 4, 2014 BY ANAHAS
Vietnam Mystery Memorial — Continuing this amazing story.
Many have speculated that because of its remote location the memorial must have been erected using a helicopter. Actually the location proved to be accessible with some difficulty by truck. A local granite monument company brought the materials to the site on a lift truck using its crane to place the memorial and the quote stones. Much of the rest of the construction was done by hand with volunteer labor. None of the participants wished any publicity for their efforts, regretting only the LTC Beckley was unable to join them.
LTC Beckley did not want to publicize the memorial location. Remembering that it was erected in 1995, the mode of the country toward all things Vietnam left him fearful of possible vandalism. He did not want it to become a tourist attraction, but wanted to reserve it for warriors still dealing with their own demons or wanting to remember their fallen comrades. He also did not want it to become “Stu’s Memorial”. People have questioned why this blog is now apparently breaking his wishes. That is not the case.
Starting with the first Gulf War, but more so after 911 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the mood of the country toward veterans took a 180 degree turn. Perhaps suffering from a national guilt at the way Vietnam veterans were treated most people now separated their feelings about war from their respect for those who volunteer to carry out their assigned missions. The warrior was no longer blamed for the war. And Vietnam veterans themselves had pledged that “Never again would one generation of veterans forget another.” Many of the welcome home committees at airports were led by Vietnam veterans. And Vietnam veterans were increasingly taking leadership roles in many veterans organizations. Every effort was being made to keep returning veterans connected.
This blog is directed predominantly to veteran groups and just as the photo documentary Warriors Remembered was published to inform veterans of the hundreds of Vietnam veterans memorials in all 50 states, publicizing SOLDIERSTONE offers veterans in the area a chance to visit and heal while remembering their fallen brothers. LTC Beckley would approve."

[Gold Seeker]

Here's another webpage with more and better/complete info about Soldierstone, and especially LTC Beckley.

http://www.blackpony.org/solston2.html

[russau]

SALUTE! WOW what a story and dedication this man had! it made me pause for awhile and think about it and the meaning....................................................................