PRESIDENT'S REMARKS IN COLORADO SPRINGS

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we just had a chance to tour some of the damage that's been done by this devastating fire. I've had a chance to thank Mayor Bach as well as Governor Hickenlooper. And the entire congressional delegation, members of the fire service, the Forest Service, as well as local fire officials have gotten a full briefing. I think what you see here is an example of outstanding coordination and cooperation between federal, state and local agencies. We have been putting everything we have into trying to deal with what's one of the worst fires that we've seen here in Colorado. And it's still early in the fire season, and we still got a lot more work to do. But because of the outstanding work that's been done, because of not only the coordination but also some unprecedented arrangements that have been made with military resources combined with the civil resources, we're starting to see progress. Obviously, as you saw in the some of these subdivisions, the devastation is enormous. And our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who have been affected. One of the things that I've tried to emphasize is that whether it's fires in Colorado or flooding in the northern parts of Florida, when natural disasters like this hit, America comes together. And we all recognize that there but for the grace of God, go I. We've got to make sure that we have each other's backs. And that spirit is what you're seeing in terms of volunteers, in terms of firefighters, in terms of government officials. Everybody is pulling together to try to deal with this situation. Now, as I said, we're not completely out of the woods yet. These folks, some of them have been working 18-hour days, 20-hour days, trying to make sure that these fires get put out. They're going to be carefully monitoring the situation, and ultimately they're going to need a little bit of help from Mother Nature in order to fully extinguish these fires. In the meantime, some lessons are being learned about how we can mitigate some of these fires in the future, and I know that the Mayor and Governor, and other local officials are already in those conversations. It means that hopefully, out of this tragedy, some long-term planning occurs, and it may be that we can curb some of the damage that happens the next time, even though you obviously can't fully control fires that are starting up in these mountains. Last point I just want to make -- and that is that we can provide all the resources, we can make sure that they're well-coordinated, but as I just told these firefighters, what we can do is to provide them with the courage and the determination and the professionalism, the heart that they show when they're out there battling these fires. When we had a chance on site to see some guys who had just saved three homes in a community that had been devastated, for those families, the work and the sacrifice of those firefighters means the world to them, and they are genuine heroes. And so we want to just say thank you to all the folks who have been involved in this. We're proud of you. We appreciate what you do each and every day. And so for folks all around the country, I hope you are reminded of how important our fire departments are, our Forest Service is. Sometimes they don't get the credit that they deserve until your house is burning down, or your community is being threatened. And you have to understand they're putting their lives at risk to save us and to help us. We've got to make sure that we remember that 365 days a year, not just when tragedies like this strike. Thank you very much, everybody.

STORM KING MOUNTAIN FIRE - 1994

Storm King Fire (a.k.a. South Canyon Fire), Glenwood Springs, CO, July 6th, 1994 Excerpt: US Forest Service Investigation At 3:20 p.m.on July 6th, 1994 a dry cold front moved into the fire area. As winds and fire activity increased, the fire made several rapid runs with 100-foot flame lengths within the existing burn. At 4:00 p.m. the fire crossed the bottom of the west drainage and spread up the drainage on the west side. It soon spotted back across the drainage to the east side beneath the firefighters and moved onto steep slopes and into dense, highly flammable Gambel oak. Within seconds a wall of flame raced up the hill toward the firefighters on the west flank fireline. Failing to outrun the flames, 12 firefighters perished. Two helitack crew members on the top of the ridge also died when they tried to outrun the fire to the northwest. The remaining 35 firefighters survived by escaping out the east drainage or seeking a safety area and deploying their fire shelters.

MANN GULCH FIRE - 1949

Mann Gulch Fire, Helena National Forest, MT, August 5th, 1949 Excerpt: From NASA System Failure Case Studies report On August 4, 1949, a lightning induced "smoker" started along the south ridge of Mann Gulch, located 20 miles north of Helena, Montana. The fire was spotted the next day and a team of 15 smokejumpers was dispatched. The plan was to proceed down the north slope and attack the fire from its rear flank, using the Missouri river as an escape route. Unknown to the crew, the fire had jumped across the gulch to the north ridge eliminating the path to safety. Given the very dry conditions, the fire spread rapidly--up to 700 feet per minute. Seeing smoke ahead, Foreman Wagner Dodge ordered the team to reverse direction, but the fire quickly caught up to them. Dodge lit an intentional burn zone or "escape fire" and urged his men to take refuge. The team ignored Dodge as discipline shattered and it became every man for himself. Dodge survived as did two others who made it over the ridge to safety. The rest were overtaken by the fire and died.

WALDO CANYON FIRE LATEST REPORT

Incident Overview Waldo Canyon Fire Update For Immediate Release: June 28, 2012, 8 a.m. Public Information: (719) 629-7322, www.inciweb.org Fire Facts: Date started: June 23, 2012 Number of Personnel: 1,008 Location: West of Colorado Springs Crews: 27 Size: 18,500 acres Engines: 73 Percent Contained: 5% Water Tenders: 3 Estimated Containment: 7/16/12 Helicopters: 2 Type 1, 2 Type 2 and 2 Type 3 Cause: Under investigation Injuries to Date: 0 Structures threatened: 20,085 residences and 160 commercial structures Evacuees: Approx. 32, 000 Cost to Date: $3, 200, 000 Structures lost Yet to be determined Announcement: Staffed road closures will be in effect at the following locations: ·● Forest Road 320, one half mile west of Mitchell Ave. ·● Forest Road 320 at Road 300. Road 300 will remain open. ·● Hwy 24 at the El Paso/Teller County line. Today's Events: Firefighters were able to construct direct line in Sand Gulch from Hwy 24 towards Rampart Ridge Road last night. The fire grew little overnight due to favorable weather conditions. There was isolated torching of trees in the middle of the northwest portion of the fire where oak brush has not completely burned. On the south perimeter, firefighters were able to construct direct line to secure areas of fire. Direct line construction will continue today on the south perimeter to secure this area. Firefighters will continue to construct direct line in the Sand Gulch area. Structure protection will continue along Hwy 24. To the northwest of this line construction, three locations have been identified as contingencies where firefighters would be able to burn off from, if necessary, to protect the community of Woodland Park. A structure protection group will continue preparation work on the east side of Woodland Park today. Crews will work to construct line from the spot fire north of Rampart Reservoir to the southeast to tie in with the main north flank of the fire. On the East flank, the primary focus is on structure protection, improving existing line, fire control and mop-up. Firefighters will provide structure protection and initial attack along the eastern boundary of the fire. These activities and resources are being coordinated with the City of Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy. All resources assigned within Colorado Springs City limits are under the direction of the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Structure protection will continue at Eagle Lake Camp. Firefighters are securing and holding the line from Rampart Reservoir south to Rampart Range Road. Crews will continue structure protection in Cedar Heights subdivision and construct line from the quarry north to the castle. Evacuations and Closures Currently on mandatory evacuation: Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Crystola City of Colorado Springs All areas north of Garden of the Gods Rd. between I-25 to the east all the way to the western City limits and north to the Air Force Academy. Air Force Academy Evacuated areas include all housing areas on the base except the airfield. Teller County Refer to www.co.teller.co.us US 24 Closed between Cave of the Winds and El Paso/Teller County line. Pike National Forest Order 12-08 closes the Pike National Forest in the area of the Waldo Canyon Fire as shown on map of order. Currently on Voluntary Evacuation Crystal Park, Manitou Springs Red Cross Shelters Lewis Palmer High School (1300 Higby, Monument, CO) Cheyenne Mountain High School (1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Springs, CO) Southeast YMCA (2190 Jet Wing Drive, Colorado Springs, CO) Summit Elementary School, Divide, CO Evacuees should register on www.redcross.org/safeandwell. Family and friends can check status there and also by phone at (719) 785-2724. For information on sheltering animals, please refer to this document: http://www.springsgov.com/units/communications/CompanionAnimalShelterinfforWaldoCanyonFireEvacuees.pdf ### Basic Information Incident Type Wildfire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin Saturday June 23rd, 2012 approx. 12:00 PM Location Pike National Forest, El Paso County Incident Commander Rich Harvey Current Situation Total Personnel 1,200 Size 18,500 acres Percent Contained 5% Estimated Containment Date Monday July 16th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM Fuels Involved Brush, hardwood slash, Mountain shrub, oak, grass, Pinon pine, juniper, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce, Limber pine, White pine Fire Behavior Extreme fire behavior with extreme rates of spread and active surface fire. Increase in fire perimeter along the north and east flanks. Active crown fire with sustained runs. Fire continues to back down toward Highway 24. Significant Events Fire activity increased along the entire perimeter due to Red Flag Conditions, wind shifts and Haines Index of 6 (very high). Fire has reached the south side of Rampart Recreation Area and reservior with a burnout being conducted to protect infrastructure. Indirect line location opportunities are being assessed north of Lucky 4 Road. Incident has expanded to include Division D and X based on northwest growth of fire perimeter. An evacuation has been issued by the City of Colorado Springs for Mt Springs, Peregrine and Westwood. At approximately 4 pm the fire progressed west to east in Division Y crossing Queens Canyon and established itself on the east aspect of the Front Range. The evacuation order for Crystal Park subdivision has been lifted and residents allowed to return. Outlook Planned Actions Improve pipelone easement contingency line south of Woodland Park going east from Hwy 24 and tying into Rampart Recreation Area. Continue to hold Rampart Ridge Road to prevent fire from moving northeast and east. Continue point protection in Cedar Heights and continue structure protection along the west side of Colorado Springs. Growth Potential Extreme Terrain Difficulty Extreme Current Weather Wind Conditions 12 mph SW Temperature 93 degrees Humidity 8% UNIT INFORMATION Pike and San Isabel National Forests U.S. Forest Service 2840 Kachina Drive Pueblo, CO 81008 Links Terminology About This Site Help Disclaimer Feeds Log I

WALDO CANYON MAP FOR THURSDAY MORNING

HAYMAN FIRE MAP

FIRE MAP AS OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT

LATEST WALDO CANYON MAP

WORST COLORADO FIRES - HOMES DESTROYED

Colorado's top 16 most destructive wildfires in terms of the number of homes destroyed. 1. High Park, Larimer County 2012 -- 257 homes. 2. Fourmile Canyon, 2010 -- 169 homes. 3. Hayman, 2002 -- 133 homes, 466 outbuildings. 4. Iron Mountain near Canon City, 2002 -- 100 homes, 100 outbuildings. 5. Missionary Ridge, near Durango, 2002 -- 56 homes, 27 outbuildings. 6. Hi-Meadow fire near Bailey, 2000 -- 58 structures. 7. Black Tiger Gulch, 1989 -- 44-46 homes. 8. Coal Seam, near Glenwood Springs, 2002 -- 29 houses, 14 outbuildings. 9. Lower North Fork, near Conifer, 2012 -- 27 homes. 10. Woodland Heights, Estes Park, 2012 - 22 homes, 2 structures. 11. Bobcat fire, Larimer County, 2000 -- 22 structures. 12. Schoonover, Douglas County, 2002 -- 13 structures. 13. Crystal, Larimer County, 2010 -- 13 homes. 14. Buffalo Creek, Jefferson County, 1996 -- 12 structures. 15. Million, near South Fork, 2002 -- 11 homes, 2 outbuildings. 16. Olde Stage in Boulder County, 1990 -- 10 homes.

WORST FIRES EVER

Worst U.S. Forest Fires







1871

Oct. 8–14, Peshtigo, Wis: over 1,500 lives lost and 3.8 million acres burned in nation's worst forest fire.

1889

June 6, Seattle, Wash.: fire destroyed 64 acres of the city and killed 2 people. Damage was estimated at $15 million.

1894

Sept. 1, Minn.: forest fires ravaged over 160,000 acres and destroyed 6 towns; 600 killed, including 413 in town of Hinckley.

1902

Sept., Wash. and Ore.: Yacoult fire destroyed 1 million acres and left 38 dead.

1910

Aug. 10, Idaho and Mont.: fires burned 3 million acres of woods and killed 85 people.

1918

Oct. 13–15, Minn. and Wis.: forest fire struck towns in both states; 1,000 died, including 400 in town of Cloquet, Minn. About $1 million in losses.

1947

Oct. 25–27, Maine: forest fire destroyed part of Bar Harbor and damaged Acadia National Park. In all, 205,678 acres burned and 16 lives were lost.

1949

Aug. 5, Mann Gulch, Mont.: 12 smokejumpers—firefighters who parachuted near the fire—and 1 forest ranger died after being overtaken by a 200-ft wall of fire at the top of a gulch near Helena, Mont. Three smokejumpers survived.

1956

Nov. 25, Calif.: fire destroyed 40,000 acres in Cleveland National Forest and caused 11 deaths.

1970

Sept. 26, Laguna, Calif.: large-scale brush fire consumed 175,425 acres and 382 structures.

1988

Aug.–Sept., western U.S.: fires destroyed over 1.2 million acres in Yellowstone National Park and damaged Alaska woodlands.

1990

June, Santa Barbara, Calif.: Painted Cave fire burned 4,900 acres and destroyed 641 structures.

1991

Oct. 20–23, Oakland–Berkeley, Calif.: brush fire in drought-stricken area destroyed over 3,000 homes and apartments. At least 24 people died; damage estimated at $1.5 billion.

1994

July 2–11, South Canyon, Colo.: relatively small fire (2,000 acres) led to deaths of 14 firefighters.

2000

April–May, northern N.M.: prescribed fire started by National Park Service raged out of control, destroying 235 structures and forcing evacuation of more than 20,000 people. Blaze consumed an estimated 47,000 acres and threatened Los Alamos National Laboratory.



Summer, western U.S.: as of Aug. 31 nearly 6.5 million acres had burned nationwide, more than double the ten-year average. States hardest hit included Alaska, Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.M., Nev., Ore., Tex., Utah, Wash., and Wyo.

Spring–Summer, western U.S.: dry conditions led to one of the most destructive forest fire seasons in U.S. history. About 7.2 million acres burned nationwide, nearly double the 10-year average. States hardest hit included Alaska, Idaho, Mont., N.M., Nev., and Ore.

2002

June–early July, mainly western U.S.: Hayman fire in Pike National Forest destroyed 137,760 acres and 600 structures, making it the worst wildfire in Colorado history. In central Ariz., the 85,000-acre Rodeo fire, which had already been declared the worst in Arizona's history, merged with the Chediski fire, destroying 468,638 acres and more than 400 structures. Large wildfires also burned in Alaska, southern Calif., N.M., Utah, Oregon, and Ga.

2003

Oct. 25–29, southern Calif.: 15 devastating forest fires burned for two weeks, primarily in San Diego County, Ventura County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County, forcing more than 80,000 people to evacuate their homes and burning 800,000 acres. More than 15,500 firefighters battled the blazes that killed 24 people and destroyed 3,640 homes. The Cedar Fire in San Diego, which burned through 200,000 acres, was the largest fire in California's history.

2004

July–Aug., Alaska: wildfires in Alaska burned more than 5 million acres, the worst year for Alaska fires.

2006

March 6–7, Texas: more than 200 wildfires in a 24-hour period destroyed 15 homes, killed 10,000 cattle and horses, and burned 191,000 acres. Since December 26th, Texas wildfires have killed 11 people, destroyed 400 homes, and burned more than 3.7 million acres.

2007

Oct. 21–25, southern Calif.: 16 wildfires from Simi Valley to the Mexican border were fanned by 50 to 60 mph winds and burned nearly 500,000 acres. Three people died, 25 firefighters and civilians were injured, and nearly 1,300 homes were destroyed. Over 500,000 people evacuated their homes while nearly 1,000 firefighters fought the flames.

CURRENT MAP OF FIRE

KVOR STUDIOS NOW DROP OFF FOR CARE & SHARE

I am proud to say KVOR is now partnering with Care & Share and items for firefighters & thos who have been evacuated can be dropped off at the KVOR Studios at I-25 & Woodman.

DONATIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Donations for Firefighters and Evacuees - UPDATED ... Tuesday, June 26, 2012 Mary Scott WITH A LOCAL FUND FOR LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS Colorado Springs and El Paso County Officials would like to thank the community for their very generous donations to firefighters who are working on the Waldo Canyon Fire. The management team and firefighters cannot adequately express the level of gratitude they feel for all the items that have been brought to fire camp. Unfortunately, these donations are overwhelming the capacity of the fire camp to manage, store and consume them. The firefighters are fed daily by a contract caterer who provides the firefighters with all the food they require, including the calories and nutritional requirements they need to keep up the hard work that they do. This contract pays the caterer for each firefighter in camp regardless of whether they eat of not. From this point on, please do not bring food or other donated items to the fire camp. You can continue to show support for firefighters by placement of thank you signs on fences and in your yards. These messages are seen by all firefighters and are greatly appreciated. Please do not deliver goods of any type to the shelters or to the fire staging areas. These sites are overwhelmed with donations and the management of these donations distracts from the primary goal of public safety. Below is where good donations can be delivered: Care and Share (water and non-perishables), M-F, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2605 Preamble Court Goodwill – Go to discovermygoodwill.org for the list of local donation centers. The Pikes Peak Community Foundation has created The Waldo Canyon Fire Fighter’s Fund to support the efforts of public and volunteer fire departments in El Paso and Teller Counties. This fund will provide financial resources for the fire departments working on this effort – supporting any needs that may arise, from food and cots to firefighting equipment – as well as future wildfire mitigation efforts in the Pikes Peak region. Members of the community may support the firefighters by donating online at www.ppcf.org. The Pikes Peak Community Foundation is also encouraging donors to support the efforts of the local chapter of the American Red Cross to help those displaced by the fire, Pikes Peak Humane Society in their efforts help displaced animals, and Care and Share. Once again, we cannot express how much we appreciate the kindness and generosity of the Pike Peak region. We remind everyone to follow the proper donation channels to maximize the benefits of food, money, or other items to the evacuees and responders.

EL POMAR GRANTS MORE THAN $200,000 TO AID FIRE

El Pomar Supports Wild Fire Response with Emergency Grants El Pomar Foundation today announced it has approved $205,400 in emergency grants to support local efforts to combat Colorado’s wild fire outbreak. The grants directly support Colorado firefighting agencies and other nonprofits providing services to individuals affected by the fires. The grants come from El Pomar’s internal Wild Land Fire Fund, established in 2002 at the height of the Hayman Fire. “The trustees are committed to supporting El Pomar’s mission of contributing to the well-being of the people of Colorado and understand fulfilling that mission can take many forms,” said El Pomar Chairman and CEO William J. Hybl. “The Wild Land Fire Fund allows us to act quickly to assist the organizations working to keep our communities safe.” Grants being distributed today in El Paso and Teller County include: American Red Cross, Pikes Peak Region – $25,000 for sheltering operations for individuals displaced by fires in the Pikes Peak region Teller County Sheriff’s Office – $15,000 for operating expenses for wild land fire fighting team El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – $10,000 for operating expenses for wild land fire fighting team Salvation Army – $10,000 for mobile feeding of firefighters in the Pikes Peak region Pikes Peak Fire Fighters Association – $5,000 to support food and supplies to firefighters Care and Share Food bank for Southern Colorado- $5,000 for food to support individuals displaced by fires in Pikes Peak region Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region – $2,500 for expenses associated with sheltering small animals displaced by fires in Pikes Peak region Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation – $2,500 for expenses associated with sheltering large animals displaced by fires in Pikes Peak region and relocated to Norris Penrose Center Last week, after a survey of fire department needs, El Pomar approved the following grants to Colorado firefighting agencies: Highway 115 South – $20,000 for the purchase of two Utility Terrain Vehicles Palmer Lake FD – $20,000 for the purchase of two UTV’s El Paso County Sheriff – $20,000 for two UTV’s Broadmoor FD – $20,000 for two UTV’s Wet Mountain FPD (Westcliffe in Custer County) – $20,000 for two UTV’s Poudre FPD (Fort Collins) – $5,400 for Personal Protective Equipment In addition, El Pomar trustees approved the following grant to support relief efforts in northern Colorado: American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter – $25,000 for sheltering operations for individuals displaced by fires

FIGHTING FIRE BY AIR IS DANGEROUS

May 13, 1995 :: C-130E, 62-1838, c/n 3801, 'Sumit 38', operated by the 302d Airlift Wing, Peterson AFB, Colorado. Number 2 engine caught fire at a cruise altitude of 26K ft AGL after departing Boise, Idaho. One loadmaster activated all fire extinguisher carts, initially quenching the fire. However, fire re-ignited and the aircraft had no further extinguishers available. Crew attempted to divert to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho (MUO). Number 2 engine improperly disengaged from its mount, causing severe fuselage and wing damage. Wing eventually severed completely from the airframe, causing Sumit 38 to crash approximately 23 minutes after leaving Boise, killing all six crewmembers. Long Description: On May 13, 1995, after dropping off fifteen reservists in Boise, Idaho, a C-130 Hercules was on its way back to Peterson Air Force Base near Colorado Springs, CO. when a fire erupted in one of its engines which resulted in a horrific crash in the desert about 11 miles north of Bliss, Id. All six members from the 302nd Airlift Wing of the USAF reserve died in the resulting explosive crash. There isn't much left of the plane to mark where the doomed flight went down. A few small parts and pieces strung out in about a hundred yard long stretch and a monument placed by family members. This is what was said by one of the recovery crew: "The cause of the crash was that the number 2 (inside left wing) engine had a buggy undertemp sensor, causing the crew to enrich the fuel mixture, leading to an actual engine overtemp. One of the fuel lines ruptured or melted, causing the fire, and one of the crewmen hit the fire carts, but the fire re-erupted moments later, and there were no more extinguishers available for that engine. One of the pins that was supposed to melt in an engine fire, releasing the engine from the AC, failed to release the engine properly, while another worked properly. Still half connected to the wing hard point, the engine torqued at an awkward angle, causing severe wing and fuselage damage, which led to the crash. Crew: AC CC: Lt. Col. Robert Buckout Pilot: 1st Lt. Lance Daugherty Navigator: Capt. Geoffery Boyd Flight Engineer: CMSgt. Jimmy Vail Loadmaster: MSgt. Jay Kemp Loadmaster: SSgt. Michael Scheideman Date of Crash: 05/13/1995 Aircraft Model: C-130 Hercules Military or Civilian: Military Tail Number: 62-1838 Cause of Crash: Engine fire.

WORLD WAR TWO VETS FLY TO MEMORIAL

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado Honor Flight of Southern Colorado's INAUGURAL FLIGHT! June 15-17 2012 Honor Flight Pre-Flight Luncheon: Join Congressman Doug Lamborn and Major General J. Anderson of Ft. Carson at the Honor Flight Pre-Flight Luncheon which is scheduled for June 14th at 12 noon at The Academy Hotel, 8110 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. The cost is $10.00 per person but free to our WWII Veterans. Please RSVP to lanafore@aol.com and come enjoy lunch with these amazing heroes. Let’s show them our appreciation. Any and all guests are welcome! Please join us in sending off the Veterans going on the Inaugural Flight of Honor Flight of Southern Colorado June 15, 2012 5:15 a.m. at the Academy Hotel 8110 North Academy Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Please join us in welcoming back the Veterans from their Inaugural Flight of Honor Flight of Souther Colorado June 17, 2012 6:30 p.m. at the Academy Hotel 8110 North Academy Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80920 All are invited to be at the send-off and arrival! For more information about the Veterans that are going go the Inaugural Flight Tab above. HONOR FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN COLORADO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lana Fore-Warkocz 719-287-8890 May 4th, 2012 HONOR FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN COLORADO’S TAKES FIRST FLIGHT Colorado Springs- Honor Flight of Southern Colorado will be taking our first flight on June 15th, 2012. This comes one year from the time we became a 501( C ) 3 non-profit organization. We will take our first round of WWII veterans who have been waiting years for this flight. We will be sending out information on our send-off, so please visit our website as to the location on the morning of the June 15th so you can help us give them a trip they will never forget. Honor Flight of Southern Colorado transports our WWII veterans to Washington D.C. so they can visit and reflect on their memorial. Top priority was given to our most senior veterans and those who may be terminally ill. Of all the wars in our current memory, it was WWII that truly threatened our very existence as a nation. Honor Flight of Southern Colorado and the Honor Flight Network is our way of paying a small tribute to those who gave so much to fight for our freedoms a rewarding, safe and rewarding tour of honor. Please consider donating to our cause. Visit www.honorflightsoco.org for more information. Welcome to Honor Flight of Southern Colorado Honor Flight Network is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created solely to honor America's Veterans for all their sacrifices. Honor Flight transports our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior Veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation-and as a culturally diverse, free society. HONOR FLIGHT Network is our way of paying a small tribute to those who gave so much to fight for our freedoms, a memorable, safe, and rewarding TOUR of HONOR!!! For some background history on Honor Flight and our "mission" visit our national website: www.honorflight.org

MICHELLE MALKIN AT GOP FUNDRAISER

The Cheyenne Mountain Republican Forum will feature Michelle Malkin at a fundraising dinner THIS Saturday June 9, 2012 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM at The Doubletree Hotel 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Colorado Springs Cocktails start at 5:30 pm, cost is $65 per person with the proceeds of the dinner and the silent auction go to support efforts to elect Republican candidates to office. R.S. V. P. to Flo Pritz 719-473-4049