n a postcard perfect Colorado day, over 200 attendees joined together on Tennessee Pass to remember the 10th Mountain Division.
The ceremony took place at the 10th Mountain Division Memorial Monument created in 1959 and maintained by its Foundation. The
site is now part of the new Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument dedicated by President Biden on October 12, 2022.
Chair Nancy Kramer
Master of Ceremonies, descendant and chairman, Nancy Kramer, welcomed the assembled veterans, family members and friends. The
Canon City High School Junior ROTC members opened the ceremony with the Posting of the Colors and concluded it with the Retiring
of Colors.
Col. Chris Clyde, Commander of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI/ light infantry), shared the history of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, CO and the significance of this alpine-trained unit during WWII. Since 1985, its current location is Fort Drum, NY.
“Profiles of the Fallen” were presented. Descendant and Foundation Treasurer, Joy Ellison read about WWII Staff Sargent Mathews. Anders Tronquist, Honorary Consul Royal Norwegian Consulate, read about T/5 Leif E. Meland, a Norwegian technician who lost his life while serving in the WWII 99th Battalion Infantry – a separate battalion of Norwegian-speaking solders in the US Army.
First Lieutenant Alex Hutz honored the memory of those who served previously. He noted the significant role the 10th Mountain
Division (LI) is currently playing as the most deployed army unit. Over 15 wreaths, presented by partner groups, were placed at the two towering red stone monuments.
A reading by Jack Breeding, Memorial Day Ceremony Chair, 10th Foundation Board of Directors, of “Soldiers Don’t Cry” preceded a Moment of Silent Prayer, Remembrance, “Taps” and “To the Colors.” Attendees enjoyed lunch at nearby Ski Cooper. There, the 10th
Mountain Division Double Chair awaits the first snowfall.