War on Terror Memorial stalls in committee
After hitting a legislative roadblock, Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, is vowing to press on with his bid to honor Coloradans killed in the War on Terror. Senate Bill 86 stalled 2-2 last week in the Senate’s State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
Democrat Senators Peter Groff and Sue Windels voted against the proposal, while GOP Senators Dave Schultheis and Ron May supported the memorial. Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, excused himself from the meeting prior to the vote, resulting in a tie that tabled the proposal.
Kopp says he has plans to get the measure back on track at the committee’s meeting Wednesday.
“Senate Bill 86 rises to tribute the 42 Coloradans who lost their lives in the War on Terror since Sept. 11, 2001,” said Kopp.
Adding to Kopp’s testimony in the committee hearing was Jane Rund, of Littleton, who reinforced the need for the memorial. Her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory Rund, was killed in Fallujah on Dec. 11, 2004.
Rund, who died at age 21, served two tours of duty in Iraq, according to Mrs. Rund.
“Greg was a patriot, proud to serve his country, proud to be an American and serve in the Marine Corps,” she said. “This memorial would be an everlasting tribute to the men and women who gave their life for their country. It would be a symbol to our heroes.”
Constructing the war memorial is the right thing to do, added Kopp.
“Just as each generation calls on its peers to defend our nation, the same generation should also memorialize their gallantry and supreme sacrifice for our freedom.”
Kopp’s bill targets the establishment of a statewide memorial honoring the troops in Colorado who gave their lives for freedom while fighting the ongoing War on Terror. Although specifics have not been offered on what the memorial could eventually look like, the senator’s bill aims to team together, among others, five veterans of foreign wars to serve on a commission dedicated to locating and acquiring a site and garnering funding.
“Coloradans who lost their lives protecting our freedom deserve this honor,” said Kopp, who is a former Army sergeant and Gulf War veteran. “I was honored and privileged to be able to introduce this legislation on Military Appreciation Day.”
Filed under: Colorado Senate News, Terrorism, Sen. Schultheis, Sen. May, Sen. Kopp