Tennessee Pass and Edwards Host Memorial Day Tributes

“Join others in a moving tribute on top of Tennessee Pass.”

That’s the pitch for the 68th Annual 10th Mountain Division Memorial Day Ceremony, and it’s accurate, if you ignore the altitude. You’re standing at 10,424 feet. The air is thinner. The wind bites harder. And if you’re not dressed for the elements, you’re just another shivering tourist waiting for the coffee to run out.

The ceremony kicks off at 11 a.m. Monday. Coffee and donuts start flowing at 9:30 a.m. for those who want to warm up before the formalities begin. The actual tribute runs until noon, honoring veterans of the 10th Mountain Division and the 99th Infantry Battalion. Afterward, there’s a lunch purchase option at Ski Cooper until 2 p.m.

It’s a classic Western Slope Memorial Day mix: history, high elevation, and the assumption that everyone has a lawn chair. Seating is limited. Bring yours. The 10th Mountain Division Foundation handles the logistics, aiming to perpetuate the legacy of soldiers past, present, and future. You can learn more at 10thmountainfoundation.org, but you don’t need a website to know that honoring the dead usually involves standing still for a while.

Meanwhile, in Edwards, the Freedom Park Memorial Committee and VFW Post 10721 are hosting their own public ceremony. This one’s at the Flagpole Plaza in Freedom Park. It starts at 3 p.m. The lineup includes a color guard of local veterans, patriotic music by Michelle Cohn Levy, and a keynote address by Navy veteran Gary Oleson. They’ll also read the names of Eagle County military and emergency responders who died in the line of duty.

If you want to get involved before the main event, VFW members and friends have been placing flags on veterans’ graves. They’re getting help from the Boy Scouts, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Rotary Club. On Friday, they’ll be at the Eagle and Gypsum cemeteries at 5 p.m. The public is welcome to join. It’s a low-key, high-respect way to spend an afternoon.

For the history buffs, the Colorado Snowsports Museum is hosting an event on Saturday. Lance Blyth, command historian of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and an adjunct professor at the United States Air Force Academy, will speak. He’s known for his book, “Ski, Climb, Fight,” which details the 10th Mountain Division’s role in WWII and the subsequent boom in the ski industry. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. Books will be on sale and available for autograph. It’s a chance to learn how war shaped the very slopes you ski on.

And if you’re into spirits, the 10th Mountain Whiskey Distiller is unveiling a “Flag to Remember.” It’s a fitting tribute for a region built by mountain troops who learned to ski on skis.

Let’s be clear about the logistics. Tennessee Pass is remote. The weather changes fast. If you’re not prepared, you’re not participating; you’re suffering. The Edwards ceremony is more accessible, but parking and crowd control are always variables. The museum event is indoor, climate-controlled, and predictable.

This weekend isn’t just about BBQs and comedy. It’s about remembering who fought in the mountains that now define our tourism economy. The 10th Mountain Division didn’t just fight in WWII; they helped build the ski industry that keeps this valley’s economy afloat. Honoring them is honoring the foundation of our current way of life.

The cost of participation? Mostly time and a jacket. The impact is historical continuity. You show up, you stand there, you listen. You don’t get a tax break for it. You just get the chance to say you were there when the names were read.