2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the Colorado Freedom Memorial will be honoring the Greatest Generation at the annual Colorado Remembers ceremony on May 24th. Highlights of this year’s remembrance ceremony will include a military flyover, a ceremonial laying of wreaths featuring the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, tolling of the Honor Bell, the firing of a Howitzer by the Colorado Army National Guard and special recognition of surviving World War II veterans.

With most WWII veterans now in their 100s, this anniversary presents the last chance to hear their firsthand accounts while also preserving memories to ensure their stories endure for posterity.

The annual Memorial Day event, Colorado Remembers, will start at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. The event also includes a full day of activities, a remembrance ceremony, military displays and performances, all honoring generations of Colorado’s fallen heroes. While donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation, the event is free and open to the public. The Colorado Freedom Memorial is located at Memorial Park, 756 Telluride St.

The free-will donation pancake breakfast will be accompanied by a performance by The All-American Big Band. Attendees can engage and have photo opportunities with historic military vehicles and birds of prey ambassadors from the Air Force Academy. A collection of military artifacts and photos from History Colorado and private collections will also be on display.

Following the official ceremony, attendees are invited to tour the memorial and military displays, including a steel beam from the USS Arizona that was sunk at Pearl Harbor, which will permanently be housed at the future Colorado Freedom Memorial Visitor Center that broke ground earlier this month.

World War II veterans have been invited to attend and they will receive special recognition during the event.