Seth Stanton Memorial Run - let's get some discussion going...

YELLAHEEP

NAXJA Forum User
CO Chapter folks,

Seth's birthday is coming up - Aug. 18th I believe and quite a while ago, FrankZ, planefixer and I had been talking to Seth's mom Anna, and his aunt Susan about what they'd like to do.

It had been Susan's impression that COHVCO would be working on this or at least be available to provide support and suggested trails, but so far have provided NO information or contact. I've dropped an e-mail to their club representative Sean Pagan to see where they stand on this, but in the meantime, we as the CO Chapter need to be ready and able to move on this effort with or without COHVCO.

So, first off, let's discuss some possible trails that would be suitable for a laid back, anyone can attend kind of run. I know Anna had mentioned the possibility of a chaplain possibly attending and holding a short service at a gathering location along the trail, and that kind of thing.

The CO Chapter also isn't looking to make this a NAXJA exclusive thing either. FrankZ would like to put the word out to several other clubs/websites when we have the info so that this is open for all 'wheelers to attend and show their support for Seth and our Military services.

Ultimately, incorporating the run to serve a dual purpose - both a memorial and a trail cleanup/maintenance run would be ideal, but the primary focus is about the memorial.

Throw us your ideas guys - a scenic trail with a nice overlook somewhere and a sizeable area for a gathering along the trail or at the end/top would be best. Proximity to CO. Springs might be a good idea to keep in mind too.
 
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Reply from Anna:

Hi Troy and All...

I'm so glad the Memorial Run is moving forward...I was hoping this was still in the works, and am so pleased to hear of the support and enthusiasm surrounding this event.

Seth's actual birthday is Aug 21...but the day we chose for the NAXJA/COHVCO run was August 18...so you are correct in keeping that as our target date.

This past 7+ months have been so hard...and as Seth's birthday approaches, the memories are flooding me to the point of breakdown at times...somehow, someday all of this will be something I can accept, but still, for now...very very unbelievable...

On a different note, I am so grateful for all the love and support that has come from people like you and so many others...people who contribute to Seth's memory living on and on...I can't wait to see this happen...I'm excited to start a tradition that we can all be part of in Seth's memory...what a sweet, precious, wonderful gift you have opened for us.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who are willing to volunteer time and effort for Seth's Jeep...that is truly amazing...I'm humbled and so thankful for everything you've done so far and offered going forward...I look forward to working with you now and in the future.

Anna Stanton
Proud Mom of Seth Stanton - XJFire/NAXJA

ps: I haven't heard from COHVCO as of yet.
 
Sean at COHVCO sent me a link for adoptable trails:

http://www.hightrails.org/adopt_orphans.html

I don't see any reason we couldn't adopt one of these and list it as sponsored by NAXJA in memorial of Seth and other fallen soldiers - regardless of what COHVCO ends up doing with their Indy Trail effort.

Discuss.....

Also, Sean said he was not familiar with our donation or the Stanton project but would forward my e-mail to the other BOD at COHVCO..... maybe we'll hear something soon. Sean is brand new in his position so I can't really be critical of him.
 
I had been wondering if I missed the clean up day. Thanks for bringing it up Troy.
YELLAHEEP said:
So, first off, let's discuss some possible trails that would be suitable for a laid back, anyone can attend kind of run.
Even though my screen name is black, this is the kind of event I would want to attend. This type of activity is definitely a win-win for the Colorado Chapter, the off-road community, the agencies who have authority over the land in question. With that said, I'll be watching what the dues paying chapter members decide to do. If the logistics work out, I'll be there.
 
planefixer said:
Looks like we're going to try to pick up Seth's XJ on Tuesday so we can do some maintenance/repair work on it.


Post up any tentative schedule you guys will have when you're going to be working on it. I'd like to come down one day if I can to help out....
 
I got a call from Val Douglas. She's still involved with the memorial run with COHVCO..... apparently not everyone over there is in the loop about her "status" and activity.

She's already been in contact with the Stantons and passed on some info to me about COHVCO's potential involvement. Some decisions still need to be made on their end, but Val says she'll see this through until it's done.

- We discussed trail ideas and the things the Stantons want to have happen for the run. I believe we have a pretty good initial plan:

- We chose tentatively to hold the run on China Wall trail. It's not well known, and in need of trail maintenance/cleanup. It's adoptable as well.

- China Wall has a large meadow along the creek/river that would make a good place to gather people and vehicles to conduct the memorial service.

- It's fairly close to the 'Springs and about a 2 hr trail in, 2 hr out.

- Link to see the trail: http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=61



Val also said that the BLM granted their application to designate Indy as a memorial trail. It's supposedly official so memorial plaques are allowed now. She is working on designing a plaque for Seth with Susan Stanton - she's not sure if it'll be done in time for the memorial run but if it is, she's also considering having a smaller group of the family and 4-wheelers to head over to Indy after the memorial run to place the plaque. She said that the junction of Liberty and Patriot are being used for placement of the memorial items by other families already. She suggested that most in attendance could walk/hike to the junction and place the plaque with the family.

More to come as this develops.
 
YELLAHEEP said:
I got a call from Val Douglas. She's still involved with the memorial run with COHVCO..... apparently not everyone over there is in the loop about her "status" and activity.

She's already been in contact with the Stantons and passed on some info to me about COHVCO's potential involvement. Some decisions still need to be made on their end, but Val says she'll see this through until it's done.

- We discussed trail ideas and the things the Stantons want to have happen for the run. I believe we have a pretty good initial plan:

- We chose tentatively to hold the run on China Wall trail. It's not well known, and in need of trail maintenance/cleanup. It's adoptable as well.

- China Wall has a large meadow along the creek/river that would make a good place to gather people and vehicles to conduct the memorial service.

- It's fairly close to the 'Springs and about a 2 hr trail in, 2 hr out.

- Link to see the trail: http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=61



Val also said that the BLM granted their application to designate Indy as a memorial trail. It's supposedly official so memorial plaques are allowed now. She is working on designing a plaque for Seth with Susan Stanton - she's not sure if it'll be done in time for the memorial run but if it is, she's also considering having a smaller group of the family and 4-wheelers to head over to Indy after the memorial run to place the plaque. She said that the junction of Liberty and Patriot are being used for placement of the memorial items by other families already. She suggested that most in attendance could walk/hike to the junction and place the plaque with the family.

More to come as this develops.

Oustanding news.I'm glad Val is still involved with this.
 
for the plaque,auther unknown


those of us
who've never gone
Don't always understand
the sacrifices that you made
protecting hearth and land
we take for granted our freedom
and forget to count the cost
to those who protect that freedom
from war and holocaust
so this simple poem is a thank you
to tell you someone cares
and that you are remembered
in our hearts and in our prayers
 
Ok guys, here's the details so far:

Trail will be China Wall and we intend to be at the trailhead no later than 10am, probably the announcement to other clubs will be meet at 9am.

There will be a pastor along for the ride who will conduct a service once we get to the meadow/river location. From there, we'll decide on a route back (there's two ways out) depending on trail maintenance and cleanup needs. We'll be looking at the trail as we drive in to see what needs done - do the work on the way out after the service.

We're gonna need volunteers to provide seats for a few family members. Particularly a fairly stock/cushy riding rig for a 72 year old, and another rig with up to 3 available seats to accomodate parents and their 2 1/2 year old with a car seat.

Those of you with small trailers, we should probably have at least one, maybe two being towed on the trail to pick up full trash bags and large debris to haul out. Fred, your trailer would be ideal. The rest of ya bring shovels, picks and saws if you got 'em. Trash bags too.

If we like the trail enough as a club, we'll discuss adopting it and I'll file the appropriate paperwork thru the BLM after the run..... more on that later.

Val and COHVCO are working with Anna Stanton on designing the plaque that will be placed on Independance Trail. If they can get it done in time, there may be a smaller group of family and friends that will go and place it later that afternoon - or maybe on the 21st (Seth's actual birthday). Not sure how big a group the Stantons will want for that, so be compassionate to their wishes should they want to go and simply walk in to place the plaque without having jeeps running the trail - there'll probably be more discussion on this later and I'll post up about it then.

It probably also wouldn't be a bad idea for a few of us to chip in to bring a cooler or two of water/beverages to have on hand.

Anna will also be inviting a journalist to document the event - not sure of his/her affiliation but he/she may also need to bum a seat with us.

I'm thinking that if there's lots of interest/attendees, we'll probably have to move the initial meeting location to Woodland park at a large lot so that some vehicles can be left there. The trailhead could get awfully congested if this becomes a large event.
 
YELLAHEEP said:
Val also said that the BLM granted their application to designate Indy as a memorial trail. It's supposedly official so memorial plaques are allowed now. She is working on designing a plaque for Seth with Susan Stanton - she's not sure if it'll be done in time for the memorial run but if it is, she's also considering having a smaller group of the family and 4-wheelers to head over to Indy after the memorial run to place the plaque. She said that the junction of Liberty and Patriot are being used for placement of the memorial items by other families already. She suggested that most in attendance could walk/hike to the junction and place the plaque with the family.

More to come as this develops.
TIME OUT! Indy is not a memorial trail - but it is a good idea to push the BLM for that status. Not official by any means. I did get permission to place ONE plaque on the trail for Seth's memory. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm not sure that this is something we should all do with the family. When my lil bro passed away a few years ago it was something that we decided needed to be done with just the immediate fam. I'm leaving this up to the Stanton's to decide and I'm not going to push the issue as it is extremely personal.
 
Thanks for clarifying that Val. My apologies for the misinformation. Regardless, it's cool that it's being allowed for the Stantons. Hopefully others will be able to do the same.
 
All,
If you are planning on attending, please remember this is a memorial run. And if there is a journalist there, well, be on better than best behavior and make sure your rig runs properly. ;)

I'll be at the trail head round 8:30 because I have to unload my trailer queen. I will have one open seat available.

As a heads up, I did tell Susan that if any of her family has ATV's they can use them on the trail.
 
My trailer is definitely available. I guess I'll try the miracle head gasket cure this week, and see if I can still pull the trailer. As it it now, it starts to overheat going 65 out to the hangar.

Fred
 
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