An important part of the Bolder Boulder 10K road race is to honor the men and women who have served our country during peace and war and who have given their lives fighting for our freedom. Bolder Boulder’s Memorial Day Tribute after the citizens’ race includes the presentation of the Nation’s Colors, a 21-gun salute by the ROTC Marines, Taps, a fly-over by the 120th Fighter Squadron and the singing of our national anthem. With as many as 50,000 spectators, the Bolder Boulder Memorial Day Tribute has become the nation’s largest Memorial Day Celebration. The festivities begin in Folsom Field at 11am on Memorial Day, May 31, 2004.
This year’s Medal of Honor recipient is Staff Sergeant Drew Dix. Sgt. Dix is a US Army Senior Advisor, and is responsible for the rescue of 14 United States free world civilians. He will be introduced by former honoree Sergeant Peter Lemon. During the Memorial Day Tribute Sgt. Lemon will honor the MOH recipient, read the Medal of Honor citation and pay homage to all U.S. veterans.
Once again, a special Memorial Day “back bib” will be available for any participant who would like to run the race in honor of a family member or friend who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Honoring those who have served, the Bolder Boulder has dedicated three special waves to those participants who are members or veterans of the United States Military. Join us in the “JD” or “JE” wave if you are a runner or in the “NE” wave if you are a jog/walker. The honorary back bibs are available at the Bolder Boulder store on 3054 28th street in Boulder. Additional bibs will be available at the start line registration area on race morning. Family and friends of the military are also welcome in either of these waves. Celestial Seasonings Race Ambassadors will also be handing out the back bibs on race day at the start area and in Folsom Stadium on race day.
Again this year, over 50 Midshipmen and Marines from the Marine and Navy ROTC Units of the University of Colorado will be running the race in formation in honor of their fellow servicemen.
The 2004 Flyover will be conducted by the 120th Fighter Squadron from the Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley Air Force Base including Col Buckingham, Maj. Conklin, Maj. Pavlich, and Maj. Hufford. The 21- gun salute will be directed by the Marine Rifle team of the University of Colorado Naval ROTC. The presentation of colors will be by the Navy and Marines of the NROTC Unit at CU. Taps will be played by Cadet J.D. Oredson and Midn 3/c Adam Appelbaum. The Star Spangled Banner will be once again be performed by Platt Middle School teacher John Riggs.
The Mile-Hi Sky Diving team will perform their traditional exhibition sky dive to kick off the 26th Bolder Boulder Memorial Day Tribute at CU’s Folsom Field beginning at 11:00am after the citizen’s 10K road race. Each of the first five jumpers will carry a flag representing the five different braches of the United States armed services followed by the final jumper who will bear a 30 foot stars and stripes.