Veterans Life Magazine

06/08/2026

We found Lee Cooper, Larimer County’s veterans service officer, catching up on a little history in the latest issue of Veterans Life Magazine, which celebrates America 250.

Lee shared these words about the magazine, and we’re grateful for the way he captured what we hope Veterans Life Magazine means to both veterans and the broader community:

“Veterans Life Magazine is an important cultural touchstone for our community. For the roughly 94% who have never served in uniform, the magazine offers a distinctly local perspective on the service and sacrifices of family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors who have, as well as the often-unseen role veterans play in strengthening the fabric of community life. For veterans, it offers recognition for experiences that often go unspoken and a reminder that their service matters.”

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

As our nation prepares to mark America’s 250th birthday, we are reminded that our history is not only written in founding documents, battlefields and monuments. It is carried in the sacrifice of those who gave everything to defend the freedoms entrusted to us.

The first national observance of what would become Memorial Day took place on May 30, 1868. Known then as Decoration Day, it was established as a time to honor those who died in the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers. Over time, and especially after the world wars, the day became a national remembrance for all US service members who died in service to our country.

Today, we pause for the names we know and the names we may never hear. We remember the families who carry their absence every day. We honor the sacrifice that secured the freedoms we too often take for granted.

May we never forget that our freedom was purchased at a cost.

From all of us at Veterans Life Magazine, we remember, we honor and we are grateful.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. “Where Fallen Soldiers Dwell” is a quiet but moving reminder that behind every name carved in stone is a life lived, a family impacted, and a debt we carry forward.

Thank you to Herb Green for the striking photo which inspired Rose Cooper's heartfelt poem.

Please take a moment today, and every day, to remember our fallen soliders.

05/24/2026

As we head into Memorial Day, it’s a time to pause, reflect, remember and honor the men and women who never made it home—those who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces, whether during wartime, training, or deployments abroad.

But remembrance shouldn’t be limited to just one day.

Marine Corps veteran Rodger Asai found a powerful way to memorialize those who lost their lives. What started as grief—and a question of how to truly remember—became something deeply tangible. He created a "TAPS-a-stree" rug.

The rugs are incredibly powerful—and truly beautiful in a way that’s hard to put into words. Please take a moment to read his story and see the work for yourself:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/nlibz/jbcb/ =7

05/19/2026

How are you planning on spending your Memorial Day weekend?

If you live in northern Colorado, you'll definitely want to check out the Liberty 250 exhibit at the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado.

This special exhibition will take visitors back to the founding days of our nation and the fight for independence that shaped the freedoms we still cherish today.

It is a meaningful reminder that freedom has never been free, and that America’s story was built by those willing to stand for something larger than themselves.

05/08/2026

In the tradition of honoring those whose sacrifices made the liberties we enjoy possible, Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado and the Liberty 250 Committee will present a powerful exhibition telling the story of America’s War for Independence.

Through a compelling visual and narrative journey, the exhibit traces the path from colonial unrest to the birth of a new nation—revealing how ordinary people, extraordinary courage, and shared ideals shaped the meaning of liberty.

You don't want to miss this amazing exhibit so be sure to mark your calendar!

05/07/2026

Navigating VA benefits isn’t always straightforward. For many veterans and their families, it can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and at times, like a full-time job just to figure out where to start.

That’s where Veteran Service Offices step in. In our latest issue, we take a closer look at the Wyoming Veterans Commission and the critical role they play in helping veterans access the benefits they’ve earned.

And just as important, this support is provided at no cost to the veteran.

A big thank you to Nate Shrake for tackling this article with such enthusiasm—as he has with so many others over the past year.

Take a few minutes to read the article and share it with those who could benefit.

👉 Read it here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/nlibz/jbcb/ =19

05/05/2026

Understanding VA disability ratings can feel like trying to solve a puzzle. It can be extremely frustrating and confusing.

That’s exactly why we’re so grateful to Tim Doegnes for breaking it down in our latest issue. Tim spent eight years working with the VA specializing in veteran disability benefit assessments, and he brings that real-world experience into this guide—making something complex feel a whole lot more manageable.

If you’ve ever wondered how ratings are calculated, why percentages don’t simply add up, or how the “whole person” concept works, this is a must-read.

👉 Check out the article here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/nlibz/jbcb/ =40

This article builds on an article we featured in our February/March issue, “A Veteran-Friendly Guide to Understanding the VA Disability Benefits Process,” also written by Tim. It’s a great companion read if you’re looking to understand the process.

👉 Read that one here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/nlibz/dmnk/ =30

Huge thank you again to Tim for sharing his expertise and helping veterans better navigate a system that can feel overwhelming.

05/02/2026

In our latest issue of Veterans Life Magazine, “Forged in Battle, Bonded by Brotherhood” tells the story of three young Marines who survived the brutal fight at Iwo Jima—and decades later, found camaraderie with one another through a simple monthly lunch group in Aurora known as Cooper’s Troopers.

Though they didn’t know each other during the war, their shared experiences have created an unspoken bond that has endured over many years.

Thank you to Grady T. Birdsong for capturing this powerful story of resilience, memory, and brotherhood.

Take a few minutes to read it—you’ll be glad you did.
👉 https://online.fliphtml5.com/nlibz/jbcb/ =36

04/30/2026