Act would honor World War II veterans who helped build outdoor recreation economy
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Vail, Colo. (December 6, 2021) – As Congress prepares to vote on its annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a group of Colorado veteran organizations sent a letter urging the inclusion of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act in the must-pass legislation. The bill was reintroduced earlier this year by Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Representative Joe Neguse, and would, among other things, designate Camp Hale – home of the WWII training camp of the famed 10th Mountain Division – as America’s first National Historic Landscape.
The letter states,
“We, the undersigned organizations, write on behalf of America’s veterans who stand to gain much-deserved recognition and important benefits in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) now being considered in Congress. In addition to ensuring our country is safe and secure, the NDAA includes the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, a 400,000-acre public lands protection initiative that is Colorado born, fully vetted, widely supported, and has been passed in the House four times.”
The NDAA offers such a way to provide this recognition, as the House and Senate reconcile their versions of the bill; the last major public lands bill for Colorado was passed in the 2015 NDAA to protect the Hermosa Creek wilderness and watershed.
“Wilderness Therapy has proven to help veterans adjust to and enjoy civilian life by gaining tools for enhancing mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health,” said Paul Anderson, founder and executive director of Huts for Vets. “The fresh air, majestic mountains, and endless adventures help wounded souls recover and heal. And today, we are seeing more and more people turn to nature as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the CORE Act in the National Defense Authorization Act would honor veterans while also ensuring that a no-cost and proven therapy will always be available.”
It is more clear than ever how important Colorado’s public lands and waters are to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coloradans have always known that outdoor recreation and rural communities are the backbone of the state’s economy, and the pandemic has made that even clearer. The NDAA passage recognizes and honors the connection people have to the natural world during difficult times.
“Our public lands, including Camp Hale and the surrounding areas, define our country, and are what I fought to defend,” said Mary Kasynski from Vet Voice Foundation. “Adding the CORE Act to the National Defense Authorization Act is fitting because it will honor generations of veterans. World War II veterans were part of the greatest generation, and I hope we can honor our remaining brothers and sisters by making the CORE Act the law of the land.”
Public lands and waters, like those within the CORE Act, are on the front lines of defense against climate change by providing healthy air, clean drinking water, and sequestering carbon. In fact, the Defense Department Climate Risk Analysis concluded that climate change has “significant implications for U.S. national security and defense.”
Joe Mornini, the Founder of Team River Runner added, “World War II veterans trained at Camp Hale, defended our freedoms abroad, and then returned home to create Colorado’s world-renowned ski industry. Including the CORE Act in the National Defense Authorization Act will communicate a symbol of trust, and a challenge to be better in life to our veterans. Protecting our public lands in the CORE Act is long overdue, and Camp Hale deserves to be our first National Historical Landscape.”
Protected public lands are critically important to veterans. After returning from deployments, many veterans find peace, strength, and resilience in Colorado’s mountains, rivers, and forests. Veterans find camaraderie with fellow veterans and reconnect with their families and friends on public lands. Whether it is hiking, camping, rafting, hunting, or fishing, Colorado’s public lands have proven to be a priceless asset for America’s veterans.
“The CORE Act combines important protections for the wild places that Americans yearn for, while also paying tribute to the courageous 10th Mountain Ski Troopers who established mountain warfare and forged today’s modern ski industry. Passing the CORE Act as part of the NDAA provides a legacy for future generations of protected lands and honors the pioneering spirit of America,” added Ricki Sherlin from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 10th Mountain Chapter.
The letter concludes with,
“Time is running out to honor the few 10th Mountain veterans from WWII who are still with us. It’s time to acknowledge them and their contributions by preserving Camp Hale as our country’s first National Historic Landscape.”
You can view the letter and signers here or below:
December 6, 2021
The Honorable Michael Bennet
261 Russell Senate Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Hickenlooper
374 Russell Senate Office Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Joe Neguse
1419 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Representative Neguse:
We, the undersigned organizations, write on behalf of America’s veterans who stand to gain much-deserved recognition and important benefits in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) now being considered in Congress. In addition to ensuring our country is safe and secure, the NDAA includes the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act, a 400,000-acre public lands protection initiative that is Colorado born, fully vetted, widely supported, and has been passed in the House four times.
The CORE Act combines four community-generated proposals that will protect Colorado’s public lands including establishing the nation’s first National Historic Landscape at Camp Hale, where the famed 10th Mountain Division trained during WWII. Coloradans have been working to preserve these areas for more than a decade and have gained the support of veterans, sportsmen and sportswomen, the outdoor recreation industry, ranchers, and local governments from across the state.
The areas in the CORE Act — ranging from wilderness and recreation areas, to the Thompson divide prized by hunters — provide a place for veterans to heal and regain their footing as they transition home from fighting for our freedoms abroad. That’s why the CORE Act is supported by numerous veteran’s organizations that use public lands and rivers for therapeutic programs.
In addition to ensuring safe spaces exist for veterans, the public lands included in the CORE Act would mitigate against the worst impacts of climate change, something that the Secretary of Defense highlighted in the Defense Department Climate Risk Analysis, which concluded that climate change has “significant implications for U.S. national security and defense.” Public lands and waters are on the front lines of defense for communities by providing healthy air, clean drinking water, and sequestering carbon.
Passing the CORE Act would boost surrounding Colorado economies. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, outdoor recreation contributes $62 billion annually to Colorado’s economy. This keeps rural and mountain economies healthy and resilient, another stabilizing factor in combating climate change cited in the Defense Department’s strategy.
Camp Hale is a legacy well worth protecting. The brave WWII soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division who trained at Camp Hale and fought courageously to break the German “Wall” in northern Italy left a remarkable legacy. When they returned home after the war, many of them played significant roles in creating and building Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry into what it is today. From founding ski areas to innovating mountaineering clothing and equipment, the 10th Mountain veterans have left their indelible mark on the industry. Time is running out to honor the few 10th Mountain veterans from WWII who are still with us. It’s time to acknowledge them and their contributions by preserving Camp Hale as our country’s first National Historic Landscape.
Thank you for your efforts to champion this legislation and advocate for its passage at every opportunity. We urge you to ensure that the CORE Act is included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Respectfully,
Ricki Sherlin
Regent, 10th Mtn Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
s54868@aol.com
Paul Anderson
Founder, Executive Director
Huts for Vets
paul@hutsforvets.org
Heather Ehle
Founder, CEO
Project Sanctuary
Heather@ProjectSanctuary.us
Gardner Flanigan
Executive Director
STARS
Gardner@Steamboatstars.com
Joe Mornini
Co-founder, Executive Director
Team River Runner
Joe@TeamRiverRunner.org
Mary Kaszynski
Director of Government Relations
Vet Voice Foundation
Mary@vetvoicefoundation.org
Nick Watson
Founder, Executive Director
Veterans Expeditions
nick@vetexpeditions.org
Fredrick Solheim
Founder, Director
Warriors on Cataract
warriorsoncataract@gmail.com
Pat Hammon, RN (Ret.)
Director
Eagle County Veteran Services
pat.hammon@eaglecounty.us
CC:
The Honorable Jack Reed
Chair, Senate Committee on Armed Services
The Honorable James Inhofe
Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Armed Services
The Honorable Joseph Manchin III
Chair, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
The Honorable John Barrasso
Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
The Honorable Adam Smith
Chair, House Committee on Armed Services
The Honorable Mike Rogers
Ranking Member, House Committee on Armed Services
The Honorable Raul Grijalva
Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
The Honorable Bruce Westerman
Ranking Member, House Committee on Natural Resources
