Rep. Lauren Boebert Supports Grant for Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park
Today, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert sent a letter supporting a grant for Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stated, “Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park is an important landmark in Pagosa Springs that honors our nation’s heroes. The park has some significant parking and accessibility needs. I am a strong supporter of our veterans and am trying to help the park with their needs so we can properly pay tribute to America’s local heroes.”
Richard Walker, Board Member, Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park, said, “The Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) is a work in progress and a work of love. We often host memorial services, in cooperation with the American Legion Post 108 of Pagosa Springs, for deceased veterans of the four corners area, sometimes as many as 6 a month. Last September, we held a commemorative event for the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. This event was attended by over 180 people and our town's population is only about 1,500. We were joined by Pagosa's Fire Department, Police Department, Archuleta Sheriff's officers, and our Emergency Management Response team. We have a commemorative brick display where people can purchase a brick engraved in remembrance of their loved ones who served and/or perished in service to our country. The park has walking trails which are used daily, year-round. There are benches for visitors to sit and contemplate the sacrifices that our veterans have made to maintain our freedom, or just take in the view of the distant San Juan mountains, as well as picnic tables. Each year we hold a Veteran's Day observance including a flag ceremony, bugler playing ‘Taps’, and a rifle salute by the American Legion Honor Guard.
“We recently completed our parking lot expansion but still need to add sidewalks and other improvements. Longer term plans include restroom facilities, a reflection pond, a picnic pavilion, commemorative circles for each branch of our armed forces, and an expanded area for our brick display. Obviously, these projects have costs associated with them, some are substantial.
“In short, the VMP is a wonderful undertaking which is continuously evolving and is much used and loved by the people of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County.”
Background:
The Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park is an important project to honor veterans and provide a space for veterans in the community to reflect. Congresswoman Boebert wrote a letter of support for additional grant funding to make the park more accessible for all veterans, regardless of their mobility needs.
Congresswoman Boebert has been actively working for veterans and has delivered several legislative wins, including:
Helping to restart Honor Flight services after they were shut down due to COVID.
Working on constituent casework to return over $1,500,109.81 to constituents—many of whom were veterans having issues with the VA.
Delivering important victories for veterans through the casework process, from helping a veteran who had to wait 14 months for care cut through the bureaucracy, to helping another veteran get immediate open-heart surgery that saved his life. A full list of casework victories for veterans is available here.
Voting for four pro-veteran bills that became law, including: the Veteran’s Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, the VA Transparency and Trust Act of 2021, the John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021.
Introducing numerous appropriations amendments to bolster suicide prevention and mental health services for veterans, to provide more resources for the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to reduce its backlog, and to provide more resources to reduce the general veterans’ disability claims backlog.
Cosponsoring the TREAT PTSD Act, the Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act, and the WINGMAN Act to make sure that the VA is giving our veterans the best care possible.
The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s letter of support for Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park grant request is available here and below:
Dear Mr. Richard Walker,
I write in strong support of the Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park’s grant request to preserve this landmark in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park is to be commended for undertaking the preservation and improvement of this important landmark where United States veterans past and present are honored.
The park is a centrally located special place to remember veterans who have paid the ultimate price. It has been an important gathering spot for veterans in the community to meet for both celebration and reflection. Since it first broke ground, the Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park has been visited and appreciated by many veterans both in and outside of Archuleta County—despite the need for better parking and accessibility.
I’m proud to support the efforts of veterans in Southwest Colorado and this worthy endeavor. From the parking space to the walking options on the grounds, it’s important every veteran feels welcomed and has the ability to access the park. Thank you for your service and efforts to improve and maintain the Archuleta County Veterans Memorial Park. Please contact me anytime if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Lauren Boebert
Member of Congress