Known as the ‘Home of Heroes,’ Pueblo honors its veterans and Medal of Honor recipients

By:
May 10, 2024

No other American city has more recipients of the Medal of Honor – the highest military honor – than Pueblo, Colorado.

Known as the ‘Home of Heroes,’ Pueblo honors these military legends and their achievements in memorials and public art.

Back in 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, upon presenting Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy with his Medal of Honor said: “What is it…something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out to be heroes!”

The “Home of Heroes” moniker was first used in a speech in 1993 by then Colorado Rep. Scott McInnis as he spoke to Congress about the uniqueness of a city Pueblo’s size having a record four recipients of the Medal of Honor claiming Pueblo as their hometown:

  • William J. Crawford, Army, WWII
  • Carl L. Sitter, Marines, Korea
  • Raymond J, “Jerry” Murphy, Marines, Korea
  • Drew D. Dix, Army, Vietnam

At the time of McInnis’ speech, the four men were alive. The speech became part of the Congressional Record and Pueblo adopted the name “Home of Heroes.”

Visiting these attractions is a great way to explore history and honor veterans who have helped to make our nation great.

Here’s tips on how to pay tribute to these heroes:

Medal of Honor Plaza 

In addition to the statues of Pueblo’s four Medal of Honor heroes, the names of the over 3,500 recipients are etched on granite slabs mounted on the walls of the Convention Center just behind the sculptures. Listed by war, the names are in alphabetical order. Photo by Todd Seip, UCHealth
In addition to the statues of Pueblo’s four Medal of Honor heroes, the names of the over 3,500 recipients are etched on granite slabs mounted on the walls of the Convention Center just behind the sculptures. Listed by war, the names are in alphabetical order. Photo by Todd Seip, UCHealth

Bronze artist David Dirrim and granite artist William Yates, both Colorado natives, were selected in 1998 to create the Pueblo Medal of Honor Memorial outside the Convention Center on Heroes Plaza. In addition to the statues of Pueblo’s four heroes, the names of the over 3,500 recipients were incorporated on granite slabs mounted on the walls of the Convention Center just behind the sculptures. Listed by war, the names are in alphabetical order.

Medal of Honor Information Center

The Medal of Honor Information Center in the Grand Hall of the Pueblo Convention Center provides an interactive and patriotic educational tool that is easy to use. Photo by Ryan Severance, UCHealth.
The Medal of Honor Information Center in the Grand Hall of the Pueblo Convention Center provides an interactive and patriotic educational tool that is easy to use. Photo by Ryan Severance, UCHealth.

Medal of Honor Information Center in the Grand Hall of the Pueblo Convention Center provides an interactive and patriotic educational tool that is fun to use. The interactive display features details, uniforms, and videos about each of Pueblo four recipients and the heroic action for which they received the Medal of Honor. Visitors can also access the names, biographies and photos of veterans and their location on nearby Veterans Bridge, along with information on almost 30 veteran focused attractions you can see in Pueblo County.

Walk of Valor

In the early 1990s, Delbert Schmeling began talking about building a Vietnam War memorial in Pueblo. With a sketch of what he envisioned the park to look like, he began fundraising for the project, asking for donations outside of stores and selling veteran t-shirts. Eventually, he took the project to City Council and by the fall of 1996 the Colorado Vietnam Memorial Park officially opened on Pueblo’s northside. Photo Todd Seip, UCHealth.
In the early 1990s, Delbert Schmeling began talking about building a Vietnam War memorial in Pueblo. With a sketch of what he envisioned the park to look like, he began fundraising for the project, asking for donations outside of stores and selling veteran t-shirts. Eventually, he took the project to City Council and by the fall of 1996 the Colorado Vietnam Memorial Park officially opened on Pueblo’s northside. Photo Todd Seip, UCHealth.

This self-guided tour pays homage to America’s heroes, taking visitors through several local patriotic attractions. Other stops include the local Vietnam Veterans and Korean War memorials in Dundee Park, Roselawn Cemetery and the Pueblo Weisbrod Historical Aircraft Museum.

Center for American Values

The "Portraits of Valor" Gallery. An extraordinary collection of nearly 150 artistic portraits of America's Medal of Honor Recipients. A powerful example of the self-sacrifice made to protect the freedoms we enjoy. The only place outside the Pentagon the collection is held. Photo Ryan Severance, UCHealth.
The “Portraits of Valor” Gallery. An extraordinary collection of nearly 150 artistic portraits of America’s Medal of Honor Recipients. A powerful example of the self-sacrifice made to protect the freedoms we enjoy. The only place outside the Pentagon the collection is held. Photo Ryan Severance, UCHealth.

Center for American Values is located on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk and is home to the national acclaimed Medal of Honor Gallery, which features an extraordinary collection of inspiring portraits of nearly 150 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, their stories, and other historic items. Co-founded by Pueblo’s own Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix, it was his personal desire for all generations to understand and never lose sight of sacrifices made by civilians and veterans alike.

Near the front entrance stands the World Trade Center Memorial, featuring steel donated by the New York City Fire Department in remembrance of the sacrifice and heroism on 9/11/2001.

Veterans’ Bridge

Eight granite plaques are placed on top of two large pyramids on the bridge's walking area. More than 7,000 veterans, family and friends have submitted information to ensure veterans are honored with their name etched into the plaques. Photo Todd Seip, UCHealth.
Eight granite plaques are placed on top of two large pyramids on the bridge’s walking area. More than 7,000 veterans, family and friends have submitted information to ensure veterans are honored with their name etched into the plaques. Photo Todd Seip, UCHealth.

Veterans’ Bridge is located in Gateway Park on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in downtown Pueblo. This bridge is the only monument in the United States recognizing veterans of all military branches and duty statuses. It is also the first location to allow veterans’ families to group together loved ones regardless of which branch of service they served in, or whether they served in peace time or war. Over 7,000 names are prominently displayed on the bridge along with Pueblo’s four Medal of Honor recipients, the 5 military branch seals, and the flags of both Colorado and the United States.

Next Chapter offers support and services for vets 

The transition from military service can be difficult for any Veteran or Veteran family member. And, whether that transition occurred last week, 10 years ago, or 60 years ago, the challenges remain the same. At Next Chapter, Veteran leaders, healthcare professionals, and community partners join in a collaborative team initiative to deliver the best support for the variety of challenges Veterans and their families face as they write their next chapter. Make an appointment through the program website or by calling 1-888-719-VETS.

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About the author

Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, Seip graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Southern Colorado and later obtained a master’s degree in education from Walden University in Maryland. After graduation, he started his career in the media industry, working as a news reporter, director and program manager at KCSJ Radio/Pueblo Broadcasters Inc. He then moved into the arts sector, working at the Sangre De Cristo Arts and Conference Center in Pueblo.

His passion for education led him to pursue a career in teaching, spending 20 years in Pueblo School District 70 teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), music and computer science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the public information officer and assistant director for the Pueblo School District 70 Department of Student Services. Currently, he serves as a communications specialist for UCHealth Parkview Medical Center.

Seip is married to Kerry, a music and STEM teacher in Pueblo School District 70, and is the proud father of two adopted children, both currently attending universities in Colorado.