F-4D Phantom II flown by Ritchie for 1st and 5th MIG kills

26 year old Capt. Steve Richie 1972 back from patrol Vietnam

Boulder has gone all out for Veterans Day this year  celebrating every day for a week. It never does that. Boulder usually never pays any respect to veterans, the military or those who serve. If anything Boulder usually disrespects them.  You know, hippies, commies and the like.  That started to change during the Boulder boulder celebration at Folsom field. And just this year for the first time in decades, the band shell celebration was well attended on Memorial Day. Over the years I have taken a lot of heat from the Boulder Atheist Buddhist leftist crowd for featuring veterans on my TV shows.

Russian MIG 21

20 years ago I had Vietnam  flying ace “Steve Ritchie” from Golden on my TV show. He is one of the few who shot down five Russian Migs during the Vietnam war. It was very exciting to be able to talk to a real Flying Ace.  The problem was Boulder was horrified that I dare to have an American hero on my TV show.  My solace comes from those of you who roll your eyes. General Ritchie took it all in good spirits. “Hey, I lived through the Vietnam war” he said. “Nothing anyone here can say or do to me that compares flying through flack or being shot at by Mig  21s. I am just happy to be on your TV show and share my story for those want to hear.”

But Boulder is changing and the city pays more respect today.

from Americas favorite small city

Jann Scott

Boulder

tomorrow I will write about Sgt Allen Dale June a Marine Navajo Code Talker from Longmont