Author: Mary Shinn
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Air Force Academy goodie bags help deliver a warm welcome to new families
When James Woodhead arrived at the Air Force Academy for school in 1989, he came alone and waited by himself in a hotel for his military education to start. “I was just nervous and terrified,” Woodhead said. It’s how it was done at the time. All cadets said goodbye to their families at home, he…
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Colorado Springs honors fallen firefighter who died from 9/11 toxic exposure
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Colorado Springs community honored a local firefighter who died last year from the toxic exposure he experienced while assisting with the recovery efforts. Capt. Patrick Rogacki was a member of the Colorado Task Force One, a group that deployed in the wake of the tragedy to help dig…
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NORAD memorial highlights unity, security improvements post 9/11
Canadian Gen. Rick Findley was just about to leave Cheyenne Mountain for the night after keeping an eye on an annual Russian exercise in the Arctic when planes hit the World Trade Center towers. On that chaotic morning, Findley and American Gen. Ed Eberhart faced an unimagined catastrophe together inside the North American Aerospace Defense…
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Chaos hit on 9/11, exposing critical gaps in security and changing NORAD forever
Nine minutes before the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, national guardsmen in upstate New York received word the FAA believed an aircraft had been hijacked. “They did not know what flight had been hijacked. They didn’t know where the aircraft was. They didn’t know where…
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Events to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 planned across Pikes Peak region
The Pikes Peak region will memorialize the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Friday and Saturday. City governments, schools, community groups and others are planning several opportunities open to the public to reflect on a day that shattered the nation’s sense of safety and sparked years of war. Events planned for…
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First responders to climb Manitou Incline on Friday, sound alarms to mark timeline of tragedy
More than 200 first responders and military personnel are expected to climb the Manitou Incline on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The somber climb will honor the 343 firefighters who died in the towers, and Winchell expects some participants will come dressed ready to respond to fire with…
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Healing Warrior Program provides free alternative therapies to veterans in Colorado Springs
After a massage focused on the flow of spinal fluid Tuesday morning, military veteran Tasha McGinley’s thoughts felt crisper. “I’ve been not as scatterbrained,” she explained. The craniosacral therapy, a light massage focused along the spinal column to help cerebrospinal fluid flow better, is one of three therapies offered to clients of the Healing Warriors…
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Fort Carson soldiers run Indonesian exercise, refine communications tech
Fort Carson soldiers are overseeing an expansive military exercise in Indonesia while honing new communications technology for the Army. More than 4,700 personnel are participating in the annual training, known as Super Garuda Shield 2026, taking place across several regions of Indonesia and featuring infiltration drills, firing of Stinger missiles, cyber exercises and amphibious maneuvers.…
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Fort Carson combat medic killed by fellow soldier remembered as supportive brother and son
A Fort Carson infantryman told police he shot a fellow soldier with a gun he believed was unloaded while at a home in Pueblo during late August. Private 2nd Class Kalob Deyo, 23, is facing a felony manslaughter charge and two misdemeanor charges related to using a gun while drunk, following the death of Private…
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Operation Foster helps ensure troops can return home to their pets
As more troops have been sent overseas, more pets are in need of temporary care while they await their owner’s return home. Operation Foster, a nationwide nonprofit, helps provide some of that care by connecting service members with volunteers willing to foster dogs, cats and other pets. “We’ve definitely seen a drastic increase in requests…