U.S. Army — All Stories — More Than A Headstone

A U.S Veteran Dedicated to Ending Unemployment among All Veterans

For many veterans, their service and association with the United States military is complete when their duties in a particular conflict are finished. But this was decidedly not the case for Mel Cooper.

Lifetime of Service, Youth and WarEsteban GomezOctober 8, 2021Korean War, Vietnam War, Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs, reintegration, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Guntersville Dam Project, U.S. Army

“He Belongs at Fort Logan”

Joseph Burns’ legacy may easily have been lost to history had it not been for his steadfast, lifelong friend.

Never ForgottenEsteban GomezOctober 7, 2021World War I, Nicaragua, Panama Canal, Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Riverside Cemetery

A Gifted Communicator

Master Seargent Michael Wetzel committed his entire military and private sector career towards helping others by communicating the latest information through a variety of means. First working as a legal affairs clerk, and then a broadcaster, Mike spent nearly 25 years serving his country both overseas and at home.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezOctober 7, 2021Army Public Affairs Association, U.S. Army, Camp Humphreys, American Forces Network (AFN) Europe, Psychological Operations (PSYOP), Department of Defense, AFN Italy, Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS), Colorado Education Association

A Return to Germany

In Section T2 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Rolf Wagschal lays beneath a headstone adorned with the Star of David, an indication of his Jewish faith that may have encouraged him to fight during World War II.

Know Your Enemy, Obstacles & OpportunitiesEsteban GomezOctober 7, 2021Jews, Jewish, World War II, Jewish-German immigrants, U.S. Army, Captain Charles H. Foertmeyer, doctor, Barbara Fass, Peter Henry Wagschal

A Man Ahead of His Time

Dick joined the military during a tremendous time of desegregation in the United States. The military had already begun moving toward desegregation nine years earlier with the abolition of segregation in the Armed Forces.

Lifetime of Service, Obstacles & Opportunities, Campus ConnectionsEsteban GomezNovember 17, 2020African Americans, desegregation, U.S. Army, Compassion on Wheels, ASKnet, Promise Keepers

From POW to Senior Master Sergeant

Ernest served the United States from around the world. Whether it was in a Japanese Prisoners of War Camp during World War II, serving at the northernmost operational Air Force Base in Greenland, or the huge refueling base in Libya, Ernest served in the U.S. Air Force with pride.

Lifetime of ServiceEsteban GomezNovember 10, 2020U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, Japanese, Wake Island, Zentsuji Prison Camp, U.S. Air Force, Prisoner of War, POW, Japan, World War II, Great Depression, Korean War, Vietnam War

Serving the U.S. by Serving Dinner

As a cook in the U.S. Guards, Emanuel provided a necessary service to the country during the first World War. Although Emanuel only served in the military for one year, it changed his life.

Obstacles & OpportunitiesEsteban GomezOctober 25, 2020immigrant, Italian, immigration, Italy, U.S. Army, World War I, U.S. Guards, cook, chef, Port of Galveston, Zimmerman Telegram, naturalization, University Club of Denver, Old Man’s Draft

Saving Lives in Service and Beyond

As an African American man growing up in the first half of the twentieth century, Edmond Forrest Noel faced obstacles that his white peers could never understand.

Lifetime of Service, Obstacles & OpportunitiesEsteban GomezOctober 25, 2020African American, Ku Klux Klan, World War II, Bronze Star, MASH Unit, NAACP, Historically Black College, HBCU, U.S. Army, physician, Pacific Theatre, segregation, Noel Resolution, Rachel Bassette Noel, Colorado Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Denver Owl Club