For decades, the Korean War has been referred to as the “forgotten war,” overshadowed by other major conflicts in American history. On Friday, the Colorado State Capitol finally addressed that oversight by honoring Korean War veterans for the first time during its annual Military Appreciation Day ceremony.
The event was marked by the introduction of a new resolution, the first of its kind in the state, aimed at paying tribute to the 36,000 Americans who lost their lives and the countless others who served in the war. State Representative Rebecca Keltie, herself a veteran, was one of the resolution’s sponsors. “It’s been 75 years, and it’s about time,” Keltie said.
Keltie co-sponsored the resolution alongside Representative Matthew Martinez and Senators Lisa Frizell and Lisa Cutter. Martinez, also a veteran, emphasized the significance of the day, stating, “The sacrifices made were tremendous, and the pain and loss endured by families across this nation cannot be measured.”
For Keltie, the moment was deeply personal. Her father, Leon Ross, served in the Korean War. Although Ross is no longer alive, Keltie described him as “one of the greatest men I’ve ever known.” Like many Korean War veterans, Ross never received the recognition his service warranted until now.
Among the veterans honored on Friday were Dick Robinson and Wayne Tobey. Both men, now in their 90s, stood proudly in the Colorado House chamber to receive the recognition they had waited decades for. Robinson, an infantryman, was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his service. He recounted the devastating toll of the war, saying, “My battery was hit very heavily. I lost eight men, and one of them was my closest friend. You never forget it.”
Tobey served as a radio operator and was credited with saving the life of a fellow airman during a critical moment in the war. Despite their military honors, both veterans carry the emotional burden of their experiences to this day. “It haunts me every day,” Robinson admitted, reflecting on the losses he witnessed.
Though the war’s painful memories remain, both men have led impactful lives after their service. Robinson, in particular, became a prominent figure in Colorado, serving on the board of Regis University, the Mountain States Employers Council, and the Boy Scouts of America. He and his brother also co-founded Robinson Dairy and helped bring the Colorado Rockies baseball team to Denver.
Despite these accomplishments, Robinson said the memories of his time in Korea have never faded. “You carry it with you every day,” he said. Tobey echoed similar sentiments but expressed gratitude for the recognition, which had been a long time coming.
The resolution was seen as a corrective measure for the state’s history of honoring other military conflicts while overlooking the contributions of Korean War veterans. Military Appreciation Day at the Colorado State Capitol has been a tradition for more than 30 years, featuring resolutions to honor veterans of World War II, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts. However, no such recognition had ever been extended to Korean War veterans—until now.
Lawmakers at the ceremony pledged to ensure that the service of Korean War veterans would never be forgotten again. “We will never again forget the sacrifice of Korean War veterans,” Keltie declared, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
The resolution and ceremony have brought a sense of closure and acknowledgment to many veterans and their families, who for decades felt their service had been overlooked. As Colorado moves forward, the state aims to continue honoring the sacrifices of all its veterans, ensuring their legacies endure for future generations.
