Navajo Hogan opens their door & their hearts

Sep 16, 2007 -- Most of the participants of the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial were either already safely home, or on their way.

But a contingent hung around for a special benefit fundraiser for Mama Rose's cause. www.WTCFamiliesForProperBurial.com 

held at  Navajo Hogan Roadhouse.  Located at 2817 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO.  www.navajohoganroadhouse.com 

If you ever get the chance, this is a must see.  In fact, we're hoping to spend an evening with them on this year's upcoming tour!  The owners and staff were supportive beyond words.  And the assembled crowd wore their hearts on their bare, or leathered, sleeves for all to see.

The building itself is awe inspiring, and I could have spent a lot more time just checking it out.  It is amazing that this double domed structure was built with no nails.

Motorcycles fill the parking lot.  The patio handles the overflow, and folks who just want to enjoy the Colorado skies and scenery.  There is a nice dance floor and a stage for bands to add the perfect ambience.  Neon signs fill the walls. 

But there is one wall in particular that speaks to the heart of the Hogan.  This wall is filled with photos of our troops paying their respects for the support they have received from Navajo Hogan's.  Each one speaks volumes, and each one is cherished and displayed with pride and honor.  In short, this is our kind of place!

But this Sunday, there were also additional tables set up to handle the huge containers of love baked by Mama Rose and her band of merry chefs. 

(FYI ... Those chefs back at the Doubletree included two very special guys ...  Chef Spencer is the tall, lanky guy with the big smile tryin g to escape out the door of the kitchen, Head Chef Peter, who also helped Rose out greatly.  They should get much credit!)

 

Another table held the flyers, and donation pitchers for the dinner, or t-shirts, or WTC bracelets (available on their website).

Lines formed, the rooms filled with music and laughter, and hugs were plentiful.  It was a good event.  Even more special were the Local 5 firefighters who had just spent the last weeks giving their all for the memorial.  Still some of them made the stop before getting some well earned rest, to pay their respects and say final farewells.

Joe Farrow took the stage, welcoming & thanking everyone for being there.  As a special surprise, he had arranged for a few extra Robert Foti coins he wanted to give to just the perfect people.  And so he did, calling his three choices to the stage ... Mike Miles & Heather Pershing & Mo Mittelstadt.  You can look at their faces and see that the coins meant so much to each of them.  Great call, Joe!

I had had to change my flight departure to spend a few special hours with everyone before the trip home, so a few final hugs, then Kevin & Joe got me to the airport for my flight.  Or so I thought.  Sigh.

Thank you soooooooo much to incredible heroes of Colorado Springs.  Whether firefighter, (Shout out to Local 5!!!), police, family members, or local business owners ... You were all fantastic ambassadors for your great city.  I look forward to a return visit, and will bring friends!

Salute!

lj

PS ... Ummm, you always have to look for the positive right?   So, when a couple of us took the volunteer off for our flight home, we ended up back at the Doubletree.  The bad news, another day away from home.  The good news?  Well, let's see ...

1.  Chad, from Fresno FD was also bumped, and we got to talk about the HeroToHero.US troop morale campaign.  Looks like we'll revisit FFD on the upcoming tour!

2.  Settling in at Doubletree, we decided to grab a beverage or two in their lounge, Maxi's.  We ran into a group of Brits from NATO, who were a crack up ... and did the funniest impressions of American accents.  Apparently "we" mostly sound like we're from NYC, or the deep south, or California surfer dudes.  This one was hysterical!  We also got our first UK BadAss shots.

3.  Kevin, Hailey, Rose & Joe stopped back in for a final nightcap, so we got to delay the goodbyes.

4.  When you get bumped, or volunteer off of a flight, they give you a free flight in return.  So I already have my ticket for next year's Memorial!

See, it's all good.

( ;

Thanks Hailey McHarg, for the additional photos! 

**The last 65+ pix show the final day at the Doubletree as the memorial folks rolled itall up for yet another year.  And then there was the kitchen silliness, umm, I mean prep, for the meal at the Navajo Hogan Roadhouse.  Slap happy?  Naaaaaah.  ( ;