JASA SANTOS Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Monday, March 17, 2008 12:00 am
On the Platte River Parkway is a tribute to Wyoming's soldiers who gave their lives for their state and their country. The Sun Up Ridge Memorial Wall jumps out at passers-by from its concrete backdrop, a stark white board with even starker black lettering.
Listed are the names of soldiers who died in the Battle of the Platte Bridge Station, the Spanish American War, the Korean War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam and finally Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those many names is Lois Wright's son, Capt. Robert Lucero. Lucero was the first Wyoming National Guard fatality in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died at age 34, on Sept. 25, 2003.
"Hard," Wright said of her son's death. "It was really hard."
For Wright, the memorial is a reminder of her son, and of other soldiers who fought and died for their country.
"I just think it's a wonderful memorial," Wright said. "Not just for him, but for everybody. They would be proud of this if they could see it."
The memorial wall was put in place by the local Marine Corps League detachment, said Leo Sanchez, a member of the group. The detachment also funds scholarships for college students in honor of fallen soldiers.
David Julian, the Evanston soldier who was killed in action last Monday, will have his name added to the memorial wall. Julian's name will be the 18th added under the Iraq and Afghanistan heading.
"This is basically for the families," Sanchez said. "We look at this as the price of freedom. We are quite proud of this."
Korean War veteran E.A. Decker said the wall brings back memories as he looks over the names of fellow soldiers listed. Decker served in the 1st Marine Division during 1952 and 1953.
"It's just something I can be proud of," Decker said. "It's a tribute."
Sanchez said the Marine Corps League detachment wants to expand the wall and sell plaques to families or individuals wishing to honor a soldier. An online obituary and picture would be included on a special Web site for the memorial.
Getting and selling the plaques is still being worked on, Sanchez said. But for now, the white memorial board on the Platte River Parkway is there to honor Wyoming's soldiers.
The whole purpose of the memorial, whether the names be on a plaque or that white board, can really be summed up using the words of Gen. George Patton, Sanchez said.
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died," Sanchez recited. "Rather, we should thank God that such men lived."
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.