NewsCovering Colorado

Actions

Community Gathers to Remember Veterans

Volunteers in Southern Colorado stepped up to fill the gap, one by one checking every grave to ensure their memory is kept alive.
Screenshot 2024-09-07 at 5.49.44 PM.png
Posted
and last updated

UCHealth and volunteers of all ages are taking on the task of checking every one of the 20,000 graves at Imperial Memorial Cemetery to map out the veterans who are buried here.

"In years past, it’s true of every cemetery that they weren’t able to keep as good records. We just didn’t have as much information as we have now,” said the general manager at Imperial Memorial Gardens, Derringer Martinez.

This effort is crucial in a community with so many veterans and active military members.

A Military Veteran, Jacobo Varela, is volunteering his Saturday to ensure the sacrifice of every veteran buried here is remembered and honored.

“Identifying all these old grave markers is really important. They can get lost over time as family members pass away and there’s nobody here to remember them. That’s what we’re here for,” he said.

Watch the full story above.

___



Is it 'truly' affordable to live in Colorado Springs?

How easy is it to find an affordable home? If someone earns $51,000 a year and a third of their income goes to rent, they would need to find an apartment for about $1,280 a month. News5's Eleanor Sheahan takes you on a journey searching for this answer.

The City of Colorado Springs wants public input on affordable housing needs

News Tips
What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue we should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let our newsroom know with the contact form below.

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.