Kiowa in Elbert County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Elbert County Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

1. Elbert County Veterans Memorial (south)

Inscription.

Elbert County Veterans Memorial. . [south side]TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ELBERT COUNTY WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Thank you for your service! You took an oath and did your duty and America remains free. So, please, when reflecting on your military experience, put that service in perspective. In each of our homes, regardless of the challenges and opportunities we face, we do so as free people. So we humbly affirm again, and again, and again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! , [west side]FRATERNITY (a tribute to those wounded in combat). They are a mixed lot , some poor, some rich, and others who are neither. Their color? A rainbow reflection of all people, but the color made no difference. Their intellect and culture is as diverse as the soldiers themselves; But for each see, their blood is red and they wear a purple heart. , Some felt the heat of battle while others simply got in harm's way. Some lived, some died, and others might have wished they had not survived. Some were honored while others suffered alone. In dark times some were despised. But look, if you have seen, their blood is red and they wear a purple heart. , But now is peace and heroes proved are lessons from another day , some might think. But young people will likely be called away to places we can scarce pronounce, And they will join the legacy of hero soldiers in a test of freedom's best, And we will see, again , their blood is red and they will wear a purple heart. , Would to God that war would end. Would to God that we might ever have citizens Who patiently wait for the day when soldiers work will be put away, But who stand ready to live, and ready to die, that freedom might survive. And their blood is ever red and they wear a purple heart. , [north side]OATH OF ENLISTMENT. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” , NOTE: This monument is constructed of stones collected from the following historic forts or the terrain upon which they once stood: Fort Marcy (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Fort Union (New Mexico), Fort Laramie (Wyoming), and the following forts in Colorado: Bent's Fort, Fort Garland, Fort Pueblo, Fort Carson, Fort Lupton, and Fort Vasquez. , Carlos Gallegos led a team that performed the cement and masonry work for this monument without charge. It is their gift of appreciation to their new home , the United States of America. , [east side]AMERICA THE FREE. Land of free people sifted from the earth; A chosen land, place of our birth. Here our ancestors came - freedom they won. With them we stand as Liberty's daughters and sons. This is our home, from mountain to sea, Sacred ground - America the free!

[south side]TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ELBERT COUNTY WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Thank you for your service! You took an oath and did your duty and America remains free. So, please, when reflecting on your military experience, put that service in perspective. In each of our homes, regardless of the challenges and opportunities we face, we do so as free people. So we humbly affirm again, and again, and again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[west side]FRATERNITY
(a tribute to those wounded in combat)
They are a mixed lot — some poor, some rich, and others who are neither.
Their color? A rainbow reflection of all people, but the color made no difference.
Their intellect and culture is as diverse as the soldiers themselves;
But for each see, their blood is red and they wear a purple heart.

Some felt the heat of battle while others simply got in harm's way.
Some lived, some died, and others might have wished they had not survived.
Some were honored while others suffered alone. In dark times some were despised.
But look, if you have seen, their blood is red and they wear a purple heart.

But now

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is peace and heroes proved are lessons from another day — some might think.
But young people will likely be called away to places we can scarce pronounce,
And they will join the legacy of hero soldiers in a test of freedom's best,
And we will see, again — their blood is red and they will wear a purple heart.

Would to God that war would end. Would to God that we might ever have citizens
Who patiently wait for the day when soldiers work will be put away,
But who stand ready to live, and ready to die, that freedom might survive.
And their blood is ever red and they wear a purple heart.

[north side]OATH OF ENLISTMENT
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

NOTE: This monument is constructed of stones collected from the following historic forts or the terrain upon which they once stood:

Elbert County Veterans Memorial (<i>west</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

2. Elbert County Veterans Memorial (west)

Fort Marcy (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Fort Union (New Mexico), Fort Laramie (Wyoming), and the following forts in Colorado: Bent's Fort, Fort Garland, Fort Pueblo, Fort Carson, Fort Lupton, and Fort Vasquez.

Carlos Gallegos led a team that performed the cement and masonry work for this monument without charge. It is their gift of appreciation to their new home — the United States of America.

[east side]AMERICA THE FREE
Land of free people sifted from the earth;
A chosen land, place of our birth.
Here our ancestors came - freedom they won.
With them we stand as Liberty's daughters and sons.
This is our home, from mountain to sea,
Sacred ground - America the free!

Erected 2014 by Eagle Scout project by Christopher Kelly of Troop 148 of the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Patriots & Patriotism.

Location. 39° 20.802′ N, 104° 28.054′ W. Memorial is in Kiowa, Colorado, in Elbert County. It is on Comanche Street (State Highway 86) just east of Arapahoe Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is near the southwest

Elbert County Veterans Memorial (<i>north</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

3. Elbert County Veterans Memorial (north)

corner of the historic Elbert County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa CO 80117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Eastern Plains.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Peaceful Valley of Kiowa Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Women of Colorado (within shouting distance of this marker); Kiowa (within shouting distance of this marker); Trail Under Siege / Rising to the Challenge (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Main Street (approx. 6.9 miles away); Historic Section House (approx. 6.9 miles away); First National Bank (approx. 6.9 miles away); Olde Hotel Square (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Elbert County Veterans Memorial (<i>east</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

4. Elbert County Veterans Memorial (east)

in Kiowa.

Elbert County Veterans Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

5. Elbert County Veterans Memorial

The historic Elbert County Courthouse is in the right background.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

6. Elbert County Veterans Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 30, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.