Honoring the Fallen Soldiers

Friday - June 4, 2021 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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The Southern Ute Veterans Association held a small, intimate ceremony for Memorial Day, on Monday, May 31, 2021 in the Southern Ute Veteran’s Memorial Park. Due to current COVID-restrictions – the larger ceremony that was traditionally held annually was scaled down significantly. The veterans raised and lowered flags to half-mast in recognition of those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, prior to continuing the Memorial Day ceremony at the Bear Dance Bridge on the Pine River. The Veterans Association concluded the ceremony at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery. Pictured above in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park: Tim Watts (Army), Ronnie Baker (Army), Gordon Hammond (Marines), Bruce Valdez (Army), Howard Richards (Army), Russell Box Sr. (Air Force), Rod Grove (Army) and Bruce LeClaire (Army).
Southern Ute Veterans Association members, Gordon Hammond (Marines), Bruce Valdez (Army), Howard Richards Sr. (Army). Rod Grove (Army) and Bruce LeClaire (Army) stand at attention for a photo in front of the historic Ouray and Buckskin Charlie monuments.
Rod Grove said a prayer and spoke to those in attendance in Ouray Cemetery.
Ronnie Baker conducted the “Taps,” as the Veterans Association presented the colors.
Howard D. Richards salutes as "Taps" was heard throughout the Ouray Memorial Cemetery.
Southern Ute Veterans Association members display the colors in Ouray memorial Cemetery.
Dewayne Richards sang an honor song on the Bear Dance Bridge.
Bruce LeClaire tossed a wreath in the Pine River for those military personnel lost at sea.
Bertha Box and her mother Pearl Casias await the arrival of the Veterans at the Bear Dance bridge.
Veterans Association members, Bruce Valdez, Gordon Hammond and Bruce LeClaire proceed to the Bear Dance Bridge from Veterans Memorial Park.
Bruce LeClaire sings a flag song as the flags in the Veterans Memorial park are lowered to half-mast.
Southern Ute Veterans salute during the raising and lowering of the flags in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park, as a song was sung by Bruce LeClaire.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 the Southern Ute Veterans Association held a scaled down ceremony, in comparison to years previous, due to current COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Members of the veteran’s association raised and lowered flags to half-mast in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park. Veteran Russell Box Sr. gave the invocation. Veterans, Bruce Valdez, Gordon Hammond and Bruce LeClaire carried flags to the Bear Dance Bridge overlooking the Pine River. A song was sung by Dewayne Richards, and a prayer was offered, and a wreath was tossed into the Pine River by Bruce LeClaire for those lost at sea. The group proceeded to the Ouray Memorial Cemetery and final respects were made to those buried in the cemetery. Rod Grove said a prayer and thanked those who were in the cemetery and Ronnie Baker conducted the “Taps” to close the ceremony.

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