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An honor overdue
Aurora salutes veterans as they are honored for their service
By ADAM GOLDSTEIN
The Aurora Sentinel
  
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AURORA | Terry Olson offered a message to his late father as he stood on the podium Nov. 12 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum during the 14th Annual Aurora Veterans Salute.
He said that the confusion surrounding Roger Olson’s Purple Heart Medal had finally been resolved. He said that the accolades and awards were no longer missing from his father’s permanent record.
Terry Olson provided the audience with a brief summary of Roger Olson’s character.
“My dad did not consider himself any kind of war hero,” Terry Olson said. “Dad was one of those guys that seldom talked about the war ... He was happy to serve and he never complained.”
Roger Olson, a U.S. Army veteran who died in 1979, participated in landings in New Guinea, the Philippines and the Vakde Islands during World War II. These exploits came after he had spent two days floating on an overloaded raft in the Pacific Ocean, covered with oil and other toxic substances that would cause health problems later in life.
The ceremony saw the posthumous awarding of the Philippine Liberation Medal and Ribbon with one Star and one Bronze Arrowhead for initial landings on Hollandia and Vadke Islands, Overseas Service Bars Ribbon and the Marksmanship Badge for Roger Olson, who had already earned the Purple Heart.
Along with Max Brown, of the United States Marine Corps, and Dean Stapley, of the United States Navy, Roger Olson was one of the veterans to receive belated recognition during the ceremonies Nov. 13. Brown was on hand to receive medals and awards for his service in World War II, and relatives accepted posthumous honors awarded to Stapley and Olson.
The ceremony also saw official recognition from Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter for other local servicemen and veterans, many of whom did not receive recognition until well after their tours of duty had ended.
“We so much appreciate those award winners,” Ritter said. Pointing to the estimated 455,000 veterans living in Colorado, Ritter summarized legislation planned for the 2008-09 legislative session, and added, “It’s important for us to pay attention (and to) think how we can best serve those veterans.”
He said that the confusion surrounding Roger Olson’s Purple Heart Medal had finally been resolved. He said that the accolades and awards were no longer missing from his father’s permanent record.
Terry Olson provided the audience with a brief summary of Roger Olson’s character.
“My dad did not consider himself any kind of war hero,” Terry Olson said. “Dad was one of those guys that seldom talked about the war ... He was happy to serve and he never complained.”
Roger Olson, a U.S. Army veteran who died in 1979, participated in landings in New Guinea, the Philippines and the Vakde Islands during World War II. These exploits came after he had spent two days floating on an overloaded raft in the Pacific Ocean, covered with oil and other toxic substances that would cause health problems later in life.
The ceremony saw the posthumous awarding of the Philippine Liberation Medal and Ribbon with one Star and one Bronze Arrowhead for initial landings on Hollandia and Vadke Islands, Overseas Service Bars Ribbon and the Marksmanship Badge for Roger Olson, who had already earned the Purple Heart.
Along with Max Brown, of the United States Marine Corps, and Dean Stapley, of the United States Navy, Roger Olson was one of the veterans to receive belated recognition during the ceremonies Nov. 13. Brown was on hand to receive medals and awards for his service in World War II, and relatives accepted posthumous honors awarded to Stapley and Olson.
The ceremony also saw official recognition from Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter for other local servicemen and veterans, many of whom did not receive recognition until well after their tours of duty had ended.
“We so much appreciate those award winners,” Ritter said. Pointing to the estimated 455,000 veterans living in Colorado, Ritter summarized legislation planned for the 2008-09 legislative session, and added, “It’s important for us to pay attention (and to) think how we can best serve those veterans.”
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