Veterans Honor Court

Official WWII Commemoration Facility

A memorial to the deceased. A tribute to those still serving.

Honoring the dedication of living military members and memorializing deceased veterans is an American tradition of recognizing the men and women who serve to preserve our country’s freedom.

The Veterans Honor Court at the Shrine of Remembrance is a uniquely distinctive place of tribute to military veterans and their spouses who shared in the burden of their loyal service. The majestic 25-foot Memorial Wall at the Shrine of Remembrance features beautiful and patriotic war theater memorials to honor those who serve and have served our country in military uniform.

The Veterans Honor Court’s memorial walls contain individual bronze plaques naming the veterans and often their spouses so that they will be forever honored. The individually cast perpetual bronze plaques include the veteran’s name and a raised emblem of the Armed Forces branch in which the veteran served. Often the plaques are obtained before a veteran’s death and are mounted on the wall as a living tribute to the veteran and their service to our nation.

Veterans Honor Court Honorary Trustees
Past and Present

Brig. General Richard F. Abel
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, U.S.
Olympic Committee

Colonel Dr. Buzz Aldrin
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Apollo’s first landing on the Moon

Lt. Colonel William A. Bauers
U.S. Army, Retired

John H. Bickerton
U.S. Marine Corps – Veteran
Past Disabled American Veterans Commander,
Colorado

Colonel James W. Campbell
U.S. Army, Retired
Past El Paso County Commissioner

Chief Master Sergeant George A. Carnes
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past President of The Retired Enlisted Association
(TREA)

Master Sergeant William J. Crawford
U.S. Army, Retired
Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor

Colonel Lon R. Dickson
U.S. Army, Retired
Past Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
William H. Gill Post

Tim Drago
U.S. Army – Vietnam Veteran
Founder, Colorado Veterans Monument

CMDR Gordon K. Ebbe
U.S. Navy, Retired
ADM Byrd’s Antarctic Expedition 1955-56

Chief Master Sergeant Jim Economy
U.S. Air Force, Retired

Colonel George Fleeson
U.S. Army, Retired – Infantry
Past President, The Retired Officers Association
(TROA), Pikes Peak Chapter

Lt. General John “Jack” Forrest
U.S. Army, Retired
Past Vice Commander-in-Chief U.S. Army, Europe
Past City Council member

John F. Gaillard
U.S. Air Force, Retired

Lt. Colonel William A. Gribble
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Career Missileer

General James V. Hartinger
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Founding Commander, Air Force Space Command
Past Commander-in-Chief, NORAD

Richard A. Haugen
Director, International Association of Firefighters,
Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Honorable Joel Hefley (Emeritus Member)
Past United States Congressman

General James E. Hill
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past Commander-in-Chief, NORAD

Harry W. Hoth
U.S. Marine Corps – Veteran
Chairman, Pikes Peak Broadcasting Company
Past Mayor of Colorado Springs

Keith B. LaMee Jr.
U.S. Army – Veteran
Past Commander, American Legion Post 5

Sgt. Major James Harris LaRue
U.S. Army, Retired
Past Director of Community Service

Colonel John H. Madison, Jr.
U.S. Army, Retired
Last Army Officer to depart the U.S. Embassy, Saigon

Honorable (Lt. Colonel) Ronny J. May
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past Colorado State Senator

W. James Metz
WWII – 7th Air Force
B-24 Bomber Crew

Peter M. Minahan
U.S. Army – Veteran
Past Colorado State Representative

Lionel Rivera
U.S. Army – Veteran
Past Mayor of Colorado Springs

Colonel James H. Rix
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Founding Director of Administration,
Space Command
Past Chairman, Pikes Peak Veterans Council

Costas Rombocos
Founder, Veterans Honor Court
CEO, Shrine of Remembrance

Robert M. Sapp
U.S. Army – Special Forces Veteran
Colorado Springs Police Department

Stephen M. Schuck
Real Estate Developer and Civic Leader

Chaplain (Colonel) Harold D. Shoemaker
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Founding Chaplain U.S. Air Force Academy

Colonel William D. Sinclair
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past President, Colorado Springs Rotary Club
Past Colorado State Representative

Larry Small
Past Vice Mayor of Colorado Springs

Lt. Colonel Ruth F. Taylor
U.S. Army, Retired
Women’s Army Corps

Honorable Mary Anne Tebedo
Past Colorado State Senator

Colonel Frank R. Wisneski
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past Inspector General,
NORAD & Aerospace Defense Command

Leon Young
U.S. Navy – Word War II
Past Vice Mayor of Colorado Springs
Past Mayor of Colorado Springs

Chief Master Sergeant Chuck Zimkus
U.S. Air Force, Retired
Past Command Senior NCO, NORAD
& Space Command COO,
Past President, Space Foundation

Read the dedication letter from then President George Bush.

Read the Resolution regarding the Persian Gulf War / Desert Storm Memorial.

50th Anniversary of World War II Memorial, 1944–1994. Upon learning of the World War II memorial, the Department of Defense requested a second casting for display in the Washington, D.C. area. That plaque was dedicated on February 17, 1995, and was displayed at the Visitors Center of Arlington National Cemetery for one year. It then was permanently placed in the Trophy Room near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Read the program from the dedication ceremony.

Read the World War II Memorial Interpretation.

Read the Commendation letter and Resolution regarding the 50th Anniversary of World War II Memorial

Read the program from the dedication ceremony.

Read the program from the dedication ceremony.

Read the Resolution regarding the 50th Anniversary of United States Air Force Memorial.

The “Old Glory Flag Pole” in front of the Honor Wall is a landmark in Colorado Springs. Rising 120 feet above the gardens, taller than any other in the state, the flag pole can be seen from much of the city, both day and night. At the base of the flag pole is a bronze cast of the epic poem “Old Glory” and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Memorial. The “Old Glory Flag Pole” was dedicated in 1987 by Congressional Medal of Honor recipient SFC William Crawford. Longtime Colorado Springs residents may recall that in the past, on special holidays, such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day, a giant “Holiday American Flag” was raised, replacing the “Garrison” flag normally flown throughout the year. The special holiday flag was 50 by 30 feet, approximately the size of a 5-story building. The raising of the larger “holiday flag” was a community event, often involving well-known organizations and civic leaders.

Shrine of Remembrance
America the Beautiful Chapel
Funeral Home, Mausoleum, And 2 On Premise Crematories
Off-Street Parking for over 200 Vehicles
(walk-ins welcome)

(719) 634-1597
1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Shrine of Remembrance North
Vista Grande Chapel
(by appointment only)

(719) 599-3331
5440 North Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918