GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – In a quiet but deeply significant moment on June 7, the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado held its first ceremony dedicated to honoring women veterans, marking a new chapter in how military service is remembered—and who gets remembered.
At the heart of the event stood a powerful new bronze statue: a solemn U.S. Air Force veteran in uniform, cast in honor of Captain Mary Ellen Kuhlman, who served during the Vietnam era.
“She is a tribute to show that women have served as well,” said Amy Demenge, the Women’s Veterans Service Coordinator, who led the effort to bring the project to life.
A Day Long in the Making
The idea for the tribute took root last August when the cemetery received a donation earmarked for a new statue. Demenge worked closely with Angela Ingalls, Cemetery Administrator, to turn that gesture into something lasting—a physical symbol of honor.
The statue’s unveiling was the centerpiece of a ceremony that drew local veterans, community members, lawmakers, and military families to the hallowed grounds of the Grand Junction cemetery.
“It was nice to see women recognized in this way,” said Lori Ann Parrott, a veteran who attended the event. “I saw the statue when they put it up, and it was beautiful.”
Colors, Wreaths, and a Congressional Salute
The day began with a presentation and posting of colors by the Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, remarks from veterans, and a speech from Congressman Jeff Hurd, who acknowledged the historic moment and the ongoing effort to give women veterans their due.
Among the remarks, speakers traced the origins of Women Veterans Day, which commemorates June 12, 1948, the day President Harry Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. military.
Colorado officially recognized the date in 2024, after Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 24-1236, designating June 12 each year as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the state.
A Figure of Strength in Bronze
The statue itself is more than ornamental. It stands as a symbol of visibility, a challenge to the historic erasure of women’s roles in American military history.
“She represents the legacy of thousands of women who have worn the uniform and made sacrifices, often without public acknowledgment,” said Demenge.
Sculpted to depict Captain Kuhlman—a local veteran whose service during the Vietnam era represents an entire generation of overlooked military women—the statue’s expression is one of quiet resilience.
A Ceremony of Healing and Honor
For many women in attendance, the moment was personal.
“I know a lot of women veterans, and it’s good to see,” said Parrott. “It’s good to see this take place and the recognition that the women get.”
The emotional resonance of the day was underscored by quiet embraces among veterans, nods of recognition, and shared glances of gratitude as the sun fell on the newly unveiled tribute.
With this statue and the surrounding ceremony, Western Colorado took a step toward righting an old imbalance—one bronze salute at a time.
