Earlier this week, a friend of mine asked if I had ever heard of the hidden Vietnam monument here in Colorado. I hadn't. I'm sure many of you haven't either.

You may see an email floating around that shows the video below. The person posting the video thinks it's a total mystery. No idea who put it there and why. Well, the only mystery is the location, which no one will disclose, not even park rangers who know the location.

The story is fascinating and best told by 9 News Storytellers.

Turns out, this was all done by one man who had his wish granted before dying. It was his one last wish; to provide a monument that was hidden and only to be seen by those who stumbled across it. He didn't want his name on it, and at first, park rangers told him he couldn't do it, but after they found out he was dying, they granted him his wish and allowed the monument to be built.

Soldierstone is more than 20 years old now. Tucked away somewhere in the Rio Grande National Forest near Gunnison, it was paid for and built by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Allen Beckley. He really didn't have any close relationship to Colorado, but chose the site because it was close to the Continental Divide and because it could be easily hidden.

So why did he hide it? Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Allen Beckley, who fought in Vietnam from 1962 until he left in 1973, didn't want it vandalized, pictures taken of it, or large crowds. He only wanted those who deserved to find it, to find it. Case in point: William Dooley, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry - Vietnam, heard of the story from Montana. He and his wife made a trip down, and found it.

Wow, this is one of the coolest things I never knew. I have done more research that I will keep to myself and plan to make a trek to try and find this hidden gem. If I do, I will share my story and a few pictures, but like those before me who have found it, I too shall keep its location a secret.

Those of you who know me, know I am one of many who define the world "Patriot." The respect I have for our past and current veterans is well documented, but I respect our Vietnam veterans the most. I've been that way since I was a young child. I never served in Vietnam, but if I could have, I would have. I believe in my heart, that I have earned an attempt to find this monument, and find it I will.

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