We should all always remember...

 Our campground managers lead various drives over the summer - some that are pretty mild and almost any type vehicle can go, and others where only serious 4WD vehicles and drivers are invited.  This was a mild drive.  The subject matter, however, was much heavier and more serious than any of the other drives.  This was a sort of pilgrimage.  A paying of respect, a showing of gratitude.  To our military, to our fallen, and even to "their fallen."  Specifically: it was conceived, planned and financed by a Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. He wanted to erect "a small memorial" to offer tribute from American soldiers to forgotten soldiers from "Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Hmong, the Montagnard Tribes of Central Vietnam, the Koreans, Thais, French, Germans, Slavs, North Africans, Black Africans and others of all religions and persuasions who were willingly or unwillingly expended during the long wars lost in hopes, proud and vain, for the people of Indochina, 1945 through 1975."

This man's project and tribute was erected on national forest land, in a quiet, little-known and little-visited area.  It was to be low-key and anonymous.  The creator did not want any media or government hassle or intervention.  He just wanted a simple and yet poignant memorial.  And that's the way it's been since it was erected in 1995.  Until the internet.  Now people know about it, and they know where it is (location not to be found here, however), and that is becoming a problem.  Like all things widely shared, there are usually good consequences and bad repercussions.  Good to have more people realize/remember and respect the incredible things and sacrifices so many before (and indeed, alongside) us have experienced in order for us to be able to live the lives we do.  Bad that often people are NOT properly respectful or careful, so the Forest Service - in anticipation of that bad or thoughtless behavior - may try to limit access one day...  If you do have the wherewithal to discover this place for yourself, please do it properly...for all those who served and have yet to see this heart and soul gift to them, and for those who served but are no longer with us, including the monument's creator, who died of cancer mere months after the project's completion...

 Neat stuff on the way in.

 Late June and still snow here and there.  Great clouds on this afternoon.

 A bit of a cross-country walk after you park the car...which, unfortunately, meant at least one of our veterans wasn't able to see the monument in person...

  

 And here it is...

 Scattered on the ground around the monument are tablets - in different languages, with various messages and sentiments...

 Four of our vets...

 George, Tom, Tom (hmm, maybe we should have insisted on some name separation there...?!), and Dan.

 Soozie shared both the solemnity of the occasion but also the smiles.

 Amen.

 Even a clothing patch can speak volumes here...  Kind of says it all, in a way...

 I think George and Tom actually inspired this outing.  As far as I know, they're the ones who told the campground guys about it and got the whole ball rolling for us all getting to see this.

 Tom and his wife, Dawne - a couple who have walked the walk in more ways than one, and obviously, have walked it together.

 The Jeeps might have been a little overkill on this adventure, but they look good, don't they?

 And Ginger is not a snooty dog in the least, but that's all that's showing of her here!

The roads and cars were a little dusty, right up until they all got the "Colorado car wash" (aka, rain!) on the way home...!