Volunteers turned Fort Lupton’s Pearson Park into an emotional display of patriotism and a grand thank you to the area’s veterans and first responders.
The annual Great Plains Field of Honor returned to the field for the fifth year, featuring more than 1,000 individually dedicated flags and chances to visit and tell stories.
Former Fort Lupton firefighter Joseph Hogelin had stories to tell about his family, including his uncle Cornelius Gaylord Hogelin who served in the United States Air Force from 1942 to 1944.
“He was shot down over in England, and the only one who knows where his remains are is the almighty,” Joseph said.
The display opened to the public April 17 and culminated in a closing ceremony April 20.
Retired Air Force veteran Bob Warner, who’s been a volunteer for the Field of Honor since it started in 2020, was honored to cut the ribbon display April 17. Warner flew a Boeing C17 Globe Master military transport aircraft.
“I got into the National Defense Executive Reserve for about 10 years after I retired from the Air Force Reserve,” Warner said. “When my reserves unit was deactivated I came back to Colorado and worked for the Civil Air Patrol and FEMA and various organizations until I retired.”
Warner said he was active in the Air Force for six years and in the reserves for 25 years, from 1959 until 1990. He also owns Warner Ranch in Centennial, which has been in his family for 103 years.
The honors are scheduled to continue April 20 with a keynote presentation by John W. Bell of the Buffalos Soldiers of American West. Bell is set to be joined by the Fort Lupton Fire Department presenting the colors and Colorado Harmony bagpipe player Charlene Michel. A flyover by the Rocky Mountain Renegades is planned as well.
The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Buffalo Soldiers of the American West and the Honor Bell Foundation are the 2024 beneficiaries of the Fort Lupton event. These non-profit organizations have served Colorado Veterans for many years with civic and educational programs, according to officials.
The Fort Lupton Field of Honor is made possible by donations, sponsors, and volunteers to make this day memorable for our heroes.
Family traditions
“We are here for the community; part of our mission is to help whenever possible,” Bell said.
Bell said he joined the Army in 1963 and originally planned on being sent to Vietnam, but was turned down due to his poor eyesight.
“But my father is a soldier, and my cousin was a buffalo solider so I’m carrying on the family tradition by telling the Buffalo Solider story that was being forgotten and doing this for 40 years with the reenactments,” Bell said.
“I’ve done all the research necessary, a lot of writing and, commentary around the country to tell the workflow side of the story,” he said. “It’s is something that we’ve built that we have to do.”
This year, the event expanded with an inaugural motorcycle ride hosted by Yoder Chevrolet and Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Mile High Chapter.
Greeley Pastor John Musil says a prayer to open Fort Lupton’s Field of Honor April 17. He’s flanked by Bob Warner, left, Fort Lupton City Administrator Chris Cross and Margert Stanek. Credit: Belen Ward 
John Musil, a pastor at Living Grace Baptist Church in Greeley, blessed all the flags and also performed a prayer service for everyone before the event and ribbon cutting. Credit: Belen Ward 
The volunteers contribute their time installing the flags and preparing the event to honor our veterans and first responders past and present. Credit: Belen Ward 
Joseph Hogelin dedicated flags to his family. He standing by a flag dedicated to uncle Cornelius Gaylord Hogelin, who served with the U.S. Air Force. Credit: Belen Ward 
Connie Jaso Hogelin’s dedicated a flag to her father, Mike Jaso, U.S. Army. Credit: Belen Ward 
Joseph Hogelin received a dedication flag from the Fort Lupton Fire. The display is meant to honor not only veterans but first responders like police and fire personnel. Credit: Belen Ward 
Joe C. Duran Jr. served in the Army in Vietnam. He staked out spot at the State Highway 52 entrance to the event, waving the American flag as cars drove past. Credit: Belen Ward
First responders and veterans
Fort Lupton’s Joseph Hogelin, a third-generation firefighter, was honored with a flag for his 28 years of volunteer service with the Fort Lupton Fire Protection District. But his family had flags all over the field.
“My great grandfather Alfred Emerson, before motorized vehicles, was a fireman with the horse and cart team that pulled a hose around Fort Lupton,” Hogelin said. “Then my Dad was fireman for 28 years and I was assistant chief and I served as a volunteer firefighter for 28 years. I retired in 2015.”
Hogelin and his wife Connie had dedicated flags for their family members. Joseph dedicated three members of his family. His father Glenn also served the fire department from 1939 to 1967, serving as a Lieutenant, Captain, Secretary, and Assistant Chief. He also served on the school board, the fire department district board and played the organ at St. William’s Catholic Church. He died in 1972.
“We were in a car accident traveling Poudre Canyon with my dad and my brother-in-law coming back from fishing,” Hogelin said. “My dad went off the side of the road and crashed into the river and he drowned. My brother-in-law and I, we don’t know he got out of the car. Nobody knows except God.”
“My brothers middle name is Gaylord after him. The VFW in Fort Lupton years ago, used to be named the Hogelin Owens Rogers after him.”
Hogelin’s uncle Theodore served in the United States Air Force in 1943 at the time of the Pearl Harbor Harbor attack.
“He was based at Midway Island in the Pacific. They could see the attack on Pearl Harbor, so they were prepared to fight,” Hogelin said. “He died ten years ago. He was in the Knights of Columbus, a Christian faith men’s organization, and he was of the Catholic faith.”
Hogelin’s wife Connie Jaso Hogelin dedicated a flag to her dad, Mike J. Jaso.
A native of Colorado, he was drafted a 21 and served from 1941 to 1946. He returned to Colorado when the war ended.
“He was deployed to Alaska driving a truck delivering supplies to help build the Alaskan highway,” she said. “Then he was deployed to Europe to guard the Dachau concentration camp after it was liberated. He told us how difficult it was at the concentration camp.”
Overnight guardian
Ray Targalia, a retired Denver Police officer for 21 years, has been volunteering at Fort Lupton Field of Honor since 2020. He also volunteers as the guard, staying there overnight at Pearson Park Field of Flags to ensure it is safe and not vandalized.
“Ray is one of those quiet volunteers who is very humble and fills such a key role,” said Christy Romano, Fort Lupton events coordinator. “We promise that the honorees are never alone overnight. It shows another volunteer outside of our Fort Lupton honoring people in such a unique way.”
Targalia said he’s the one who is honored.
“I feel honored to guard these flags and honored that Christy Romano gave me the opportunity,” Targalia said.