When Ana met Joe one cold night in Germany, she had no idea where life would take her or what their life together would look like a few years later. She had come to Germany to build a life of her own, but the pandemic made that nearly impossible—not only there, but also in her…
It wasn’t because of some deep-rooted feeling of patriotism that Paul joined the Army, despite coming from a long line of veterans. At 20 years old, living on his own in Arizona, he decided he not only needed something better for himself—he wanted it. One day, he walked into a building that housed recruiting offices…
I was first introduced to Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center in the early 2000s, when my grandfather, an Army Air Corps veteran from World War II, went to live there. While I don’t remember many specific details about his time, I do remember going almost every Sunday to either take him out for the…
The term “Gold Star Wife” demonstrates a legacy of love, sacrifice, & strength. Loss through military connection is profound, as is any loss. The additional weight comes from his proud service, my support for his compelling commitment to serve in the military and defend this great country. When I think of my husband today, my first…
President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “What is it…something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out to be heroes!” after he placed the Medal of Honor around Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy’s neck in 1953. At that time, Murphy was the third Medal of Honor recipient from Pueblo, Colorado. Less than…
It has been 83 years since the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was struck by a German submarine on February 3, 1943. In the chaos that followed, four Army chaplains, each representing a different faith, spread out among the soldiers, calming the frightened, tending to the wounded, and guiding the disoriented toward safety. To understand their…
More than five decades ago, Operation Santa Claus (OSC) began an annual tradition rooted in compassion—bringing toys, food, and hope to families who need it most. While some like to say that a “Lockheed Martin version of St. Nicholas” delivered the first basket long ago, what has truly endured is the organization’s unwavering commitment to…
Zachary is just a guy from a small town in southern Colorado. He was the popular football and basketball player – the all-star with plans for college after high school. But life has a funny way of changing plans. At 22-years-old, he chose to join the Marine Corps. He chose the Marines because he wanted…
As someone who has been a lifelong fan of Air Force Academy football, I was incredibly honored to have the opportunity to sit down with Coach Troy Calhoun. I’ve admired him ever since he first took the helm as head football coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, not only for his leadership on the…
On September 23, 2025, more than 700 guests came together at The Broadmoor International Center to celebrate and support Colorado’s military community during the 9th Annual Honoring the BraveSM Breakfast, hosted by Home Front Military Network (HFMN). The event brought together military leaders, civic officials, community partners, and supporters – all united in one mission:…