Memorial honors WWII soldiers at Colorado Springs Airport

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A trip to France to see the site of the battle of Normandy has inspired a new memorial in the Colorado Springs Airport.

The Wall of Heroes is an art piece featuring white ribbons, each with the name and rank of the 144 soldiers from Colorado who died fighting WWII and are buried in the Brittany American and Normandy American cemeteries.

All 144 names of World War II soldiers have finally made it back home.

Each name has a story–someone who made the ultimate sacrifice. The emotional journey began when the Colorado Springs Chorale went to France to sing at Brittany American and Normandy American cemeteries in 2023.

“It’s important to bring our soldiers home. Whether they managed to come home on their own or whether they have to come home in another way. Especially the ones who have given their lives,” said Sanra Dramron Colorado Springs Chorale Board Treasurer. “They’ve given their lives for us. So, we need to we need to remember that and recognize that.”

That’s when they decided to locate the names of each veteran from Colorado who never made it home.

Before the chorale left for the concert, they decided to do something to honor the Colorado veterans buried overseas. They assigned each member one of the 144 names to find in the cemeteries and place a flag at the foot of each grave.

“When we were assigned soldiers and of course, I just picked someone. We each researched our soldier before we went to place a flag on their grave. The person that I randomly assigned to myself lived in my house,” said Jamie Grandy, the Executive Director of Colorado Springs Chorale.

She said it felt extra special to be able to bring that solider home.

“I recognized his last name and went and researched the assessor’s office record. They lived in my house until 1955,” said Grandy.

Through the many tears and emotions they felt on the trip, they know each name brought home is a fighter for our freedom who’s now a guardian angel.

“We just stood there and cried as a group,” added Grandy.

The connections they made are what ultimately led them to create the Wall of Heroes in a place where thousands of people walk through every day–the Colorado Springs Airport.

“It’s almost like visiting the grave of a relative, who maybe nobody has come to see in the last 70 years, since they died here, but it’s okay, I’m here now,” said Dramron.

Now, visitors and locals who fly into Colorado Springs can take a moment to remember those who fought and died for all of us.

Although they may be gone, they are not forgotten.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.