[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLORADO FREEDOM MEMORIAL

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                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2018

  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the fifth 
anniversary of the Colorado Freedom Memorial, its President and 
Founder, Rick Crandall, and his wife, and its cofounder, Diane 
Crandall. This monument to our fallen heroes, located in Aurora, 
Colorado, provides all Coloradans the opportunity to come and pay their 
respects for the greatest sacrifice that our men and women in uniform 
can give.
  The Colorado Freedom Memorial, which holds over 6,000 names, first 
opened in 2013 and is the first memorial in the United States that pays 
respect to members of the military who have served in any of America's 
wars from the State of Colorado. For this year's fifth anniversary, the 
memorial will be dedicating a new flag pole, holding a tribute for the 
100th anniversary of the end of World War I, and unveiling a new 
exhibit which contains soil from eight American cemeteries overseas 
where Coloradans lie who never made it home.
  The anniversary of the memorial is especially fitting as we observe 
Memorial Day and pay homage to the men and women who have sacrificed 
their lives on behalf of our nation. I am proud to have this memorial 
located in my district and would like to recognize cofounders Rick and 
Diane Crandall. Their leadership and dedication to our veterans is 
truly admirable, and I thank them for all of their work.
  Mr. Speaker, it is, and always will be an honor to pay homage to the 
men and women who have sacrificed so much for our nation and our 
American freedoms, and I salute the Colorado Freedom Memorial for 
allowing all to visit and pay their respects.

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