Veterans
Dear students, families, staff, and community partners,
On behalf of the Adams County School District 14, we extend our deepest thanks to all of our veterans past and present, for your service. This page is dedicated to the members of our school community who served in the armed forces, and to providing information and resources for veterans and their families.
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11 to honor all military veterans who served in the United States armed forces. It marks the anniversary of the end of World War I (the “Armistice Day”) in 1918. In Colorado, it’s a time to not only honor service, but also to connect veterans and their families with benefits, services, and community support.
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The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs is a state agency that serves as a central source of information on veterans’ benefits, rights and issues in Colorado. dpo.colorado.gov+2Colorado Virtual Library+2
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On Veterans Day, veterans and active duty service members are admitted free to Colorado state parks. MyArmyBenefits+1
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A Colorado-based blog states the Division of Veterans Affairs can help with employment, health care, benefits and more. Colorado Virtual Library
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Medal of Honor Historical Society Of The United States https://www.mohhsus.com/
Why it matters:
Our veterans bring incredible discipline, leadership, perspective and dedication to our community. Recognizing and supporting them is an essential part of fostering a culture of appreciation and inclusion.
Local Colorado / Commerce City Resources
Adams County Veteran Service Office: Serves residents of Adams County (which includes Commerce City). They assist veterans, dependents and survivors to obtain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Adams County Government+1
City of Commerce City Veterans Commission / Veterans Programs: The city hosts events, offers free recreation memberships to qualifying veterans, and reserves memorial placements at the Veterans Memorial Park. C3Gov+1
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (via the state): A broad resource for veteran’s services, benefits, employment, and more; see the “Military Additional Resources” page. dpo.colorado.gov+1
Colorado Veterans Project: A non-profit dedicated to improving veteran careers and economic stability in Colorado. COLORADO VETERANS PROJECT
Photos and Stories of our Veterans
Alex Vasquez — Father of Chantel Vasquez Ibarra, U.S. Air Force, Served 1962 – 1966
Alfred Martinez, Solomon Martinez, Richard Martinez, and Felix Martinez — Uncles of Reneé Lovato, Adams 14 Board of Education President — U.S. Army, Served 1940s–1960s
Col. George W. Adams Jr. — Grandfather-in-law of Melania Araya-Schierholz, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Air Force, World War II, Retired in 1970
Edward Lemus — Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served 2000–2024
Eli Jones — Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served 1992–2018
Gavin Deaguero, Adams 14 Employee — Nephew of Jared Deaguero, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served 2020–2024
George Marin Garcia — Father of Christine Castillo, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served August 1965 – October 1969
Gus Garcia, Jr. — Grandfather of Reneé Lovato, President of the Adams 14 Board of Education — U.S. Army, Served 1941–1961
Heather Lockhart — Former Adams 14 Employee Friend of Lacey Mueller-Taschdjian, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Navy, Service dates: Unknown–2024
Henry Gleim — Father of Gloria Gleim, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served 1958–1964
Jason Wilkinson — Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1989–1994
Jim Hirschfeld — U.S. Marines, Served 1978–1982
Johnny Perea — Grandfather of Ava Alvarado — U.S. Army, Served 1967–1992
Jose M. Espinoza — Husband of Mimi Espinoza, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1980–2009
Jose Moreno Gonzalez — Father of Mimi Espinoza, Adams 14 employee — Ejército Mexicano, Served 1954–1960
Joseph H. Baldwin — Grandfather of Steffanie Baldwin, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Air Force, Served 25 years
Kelvin D. Larson — Father of Carissa Crawford, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Marines, Served 1974–1978
Kent Smith — Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1994–2017
Matthew Sterner-Neely — Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1994–2004
Pedro C. Márquez — Father of Mario Márquez, Chief Business Officer at Adams 14 — Venezuelan Army, Served 1946–1948
Richard Howard Jr. — Uncle of Genella Spencer, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Navy, World War II
Richard Howard Sr. — Grandfather of Genella Spencer, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, World War I
Rudy Sanchez, Adams 14 Employee - grandfather of Marina Vasquez, proudly served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.
Sam Davis — Adams 14 employee, Cousin of Gloria Gleim, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1971–1972
Shannon Pervere — Husband of Kyra Pervere, Adams 14 employee — U.S. Army, Served 1997–Present
Vanesa Lopez — Former Adams 14 Employee — U.S. Air Force, Served 1999–2007