Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Memorial Grove - Events

MEMORIAL GROVE
Pikes Peak Ranger District
Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

THE DAY’S HAPPENINGS

Parking and Registration
Upon arrival, you will be directed to park in an open field near the entrance to the Fire Center. There will be a registration table where we ask that you indicate who you’re there for whether you’d like to speak during the ceremony (2 minutes tops please). Next, you will be shuttled to the Memorial Grove site to help with a work project or just enjoy the setting. As it nears 11:45 a.m., find a seat near the outdoor stage at the center of the Grove for the ceremony. We’ll be sure your potluck item gets to the right place.

Weather
The Monument Fire Center sits at 8,500 feet near Monument, Colorado in the Pike National Forest. Since its spring, there is no predicting the weather. We suggest you bring a jacket, umbrella, sunglasses and wear comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots).

Work Projects
Beginning at 8:30a.m., workers of all ages and abilities can participate in several work projects at the Grove. You are supervised by a U.S. Forest Service retiree or current employee and safety gear is supplied. It is best to wear sturdy outdoor footwear such as hiking boots and bring a hat and jacket. The weather is unpredictable.

2008 Projects include:

• Preparing the ground for tree planting,
• Building Benches
• Gravel existing trails
• Laying Landscape timbers for trail boarders
• General maintenance of the Grove

Ceremony
Families and friends gather at the Grove about ¼ mile from the Monument Fire Center classroom. You may choose to walk the dirt road or take a shuttle. There are folding chairs but some folks stand for the hour-long ceremony.

If you would like to say a few words, there will be time for a short statement from each family. Because there are so many attending, we ask that you keep your comments to 2 minutes. The stories are both funny and heartwarming. They will make you proud to be part of the Forest Service “family”.

Tree Planting
Each year a new tree is planted in the Grove for the people who passed the previous year. Originally, a tree was planted for each individual but, with nearly 850 honorees to-date, the new approach was adopted a few years ago. The 2007 tree will come from the Charles E. Bessey Tree Nursery in Nebraska, a U.S. Forest Service nursery (http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska/contact/charles_e_bessey/nursery.shtml).

The young tree symbolizes a new beginning and enhances the forest by providing habitat for wildlife.

Potluck
The potluck follows the ceremony, about 1:00 p.m. It takes place on site at the Monument Fire Center classroom and is an informal family event. The U.S. Forest Service provides grilled chicken, hot dogs, buns, condiments and tableware.

You are welcome to bring a dish to share (hot or cold) but don’t worry if you cannot contribute, there will be plenty. Be sure to mark your name on your container so you can easily locate it at the end of the lunch.

Dress comfortably for a picnic and enjoy the scenery – you will be surrounded by the Pike National Forest.

There will be time to relax among new friends, tell stories and remember the lives of those who have passed. A photo gallery of past Memorial Grove events will be shown.