The Ski Trooper - Vail, CO - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

This memorial originally stood near the entrance to Ski Cooper on Tennessee Mountain Pass; the area where the Tenth Mountain Division trained during WWII. It was moved to Vail to improve accessibility for those who wished to honor these brave soldiers. The area around the monument is part of Vail's entrance into the village near the famous covered pedestrian bridge and the Colorado Ski Museum. This is a very busy area with skier and visitor traffic in both the winter and summer.

The story of the Tenth Mountain Division has been told in many books and movies. My interest comes from both a great-uncle and great-cousin who served in the unit. For more information (visit link) . The site includes books in PDF format that detail the daily events of each Regiment of the Tenth Mountain Division. The Denver Public Library, Central Branch, is the official repository of the Tenth Mountain Division and has records that may be searched (visit link) .

The monument reads:
"THE SKI TROOPER
1941 -- 1946
He will become an eagle among the clouds for all time. Created for the men of the Tenth Mountain Division and the battles they fought. Kiska, The Aleutian Islands 1943; Italy from the Apennes to the Alps 1945.
Funding for this memorial was raised by the Dured E. Townsend Group with special thanks to Peter W. Seibert, Jr., John A. Elvrum, John and Phoebe Montagne, Donald G. Dunn and Jean Traynor
Dedicated November 1977

Trustees:
Bernard J. Bola; Harry T. Brandt; John J. Duffy; Otto Korban

President Donald E. Traynor; Vice-President Charles L. Leggiero; Secretary/Treasurer D. Jean Traynor; Sculptors Victor Issa, Scott Stearman"

Something many do not think of is that art and statues do need upkeep. "For example, the 10th Mountain Division Memorial is so popular that we have to get a specialist to restore the piece annually. The white paint wears off the gloved hand from people touching it,” Fordham said. (from (visit link) )

There are additional Waymarks to the Tenth Mountain Division in Pando Valley, Tennessee Mountain Pass and Breckenridge (visit link) , (visit link) , (visit link) , (visit link) and (visit link) .

Date of Dedication: 11/01/2007 Property Permission: Public Location of waymark: Vail, VO USA Commemoration: U.S. Army Tenth Mountain Division Access instructions: Not listed Access times: Not listed Website for Waymark: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your GPSr. We'd prefer a photo containing YOU at the monument, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Also include a bit about your visit here.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   06/09/2012 goff-family visited it 04/09/2012 MeanderingMonkeys visited it 03/28/2011 gatefan visited it

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