VAIL, Colorado (Feb. 24, 2024) – Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division paid homage to their World War II counterparts during Legacy Days, Feb. 22-25, in Leadville and Vail, Colorado.
Legacy Days marks the anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge on the night of Feb. 18-19, 1945, during World War II. Members of the 86th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division conducted a surprise attack on the Germans and were able to break through the Nazi Gothic Line, which became a turning point during the war.
To kick off Legacy Days, Christian Beckwith, veteran alpinist and climbing historian, gave a presentation to descendants of 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and active-duty division Soldiers. Here, Soldiers and descendants learned about the history of the 10th Mountain Division, Camp Hale, and the legacy that continues today.
The next event, which took place at Ski Cooper, was a 10th Mountain Division Descendants reunion. Along with the descendants, the reunion saw active-duty Soldiers, Fort Drum D-Series Team winners, veterans, and community members supporting the 10th Mountain Division enjoying a day of skiing, leisure, and recreation.
Dave Little, 10th Mountain Division Foundation historian, spoke about the importance of the reunion.
“It’s important that we get together and remember the history,” Little said. “The history in Colorado is that of outdoor recreation, and also of the military.”
After the reunion, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers, veterans, descendants, and members of the community participated in a Serpentine Ski Parade, which involved a seemingly endless chain of skiers zigzagging down a slope with American, unit, and state flags waving in the wind.
In the late morning of Feb. 24, community members witnessed a Blackhawk helicopter landing atop the Vail mountain slopes and the 10th Mountain Division Legacy Days parade later that evening.
The festivities began at the base of Gondola One with opening remarks from Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, 10th Mountain Division deputy commander-support. Following the opening remarks, members of the community watched a short film about the history and legacy of Vail.
After the short film, with the division logo proudly displayed on a mountain slope and fireworks illuminating the night sky, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and veterans performed a serpentine ski with lit torches in their hands.
Once the torchlit serpentine ski was complete, the parade began and was led by a World War II-style jeep, followed by 10th Mountain Division Soldiers and veterans dressed in traditional alpine uniforms marching through Vail Village.
The final event of Legacy Days, the Ski Trooper Cup, was a competition between multiple U.S. Army units that involved push-ups, ascending a slope, rappelling, skiing down a mountain between gates, pull-ups, and glissading.
Sgt. Benjamin Andringa, a Soldier with the 10th Mountain Division, spoke about his experience with Legacy Days 2024.
“I am ecstatic that we’re out here in Colorado where the original 10th Mountain Division trained,” Andringa said. “Going back to the division’s roots feels great, and I’m proud to be a part of it all.
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