There used to be a 10th Mountain Division shrine on Aspen Mountain, but it is not there anymore.  But on August 2, 1997, there was erected in the Gondola Plaza, at the foot of the steps leading up to the gondola, a bronze sculpture and plaque dedicated in perpetual memory of the 992 young men of the 10th Mountain Division who gave their lives in the Aleutian Islands and Italy in 1943-1945, and also 10th Mountain Division veterans who came to Aspen after the War.  The monument was donated by Bert Bidwell, longtime Aspen resident and 10th Mountain Division veteran.  Photos of it are below. 

Bronze plaque on the monument states the following:

"This bronze sculpture is dedicated in perpetual memory of the 992 young men of the 10th Mountain Division who gave their lives for a cause in the Aleutian Islands and Italy in 1943-1945.  It is also dedicated in recognition of those 10th Mountain Division Veterans who came to Aspen in the early years after the war to open businesses, teach skiing, work their trades and to assist greatly in making Aspen an internationally recognized ski resort.  Their names will always be a part of Aspen."

"This monument is donated to the City of Aspen, Colorado August 2, 1997 by Bert Bidwell, Company A/87, a long-time resident and 10th Mountain Division veteran.  Created by Chris Navarro."

For information on Chris Navarro, see this web site:  http://www.chrisnavarro.com/

If you have any photos of or information about this item that you would like to share for use on this page, please send to the author at [email protected].

This sculpture and plaque is covered in the book, "Sanctuaries in the Snow--The Shrines and Memorials of Aspen/Snowmass."  The book may be purchased on this page on this site:  http://www.aspensnowmassshrines.com/index.php?The-Book

For more information about this item, see this Facebook photo album (you do not need a Facebook account in order to view the album):  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.616778068394161.1073741897.100001859201674&type=1&l=fd4890e5b3.

This item is part of a Facebook photo album that covers various signs and plaques on Aspen Mountain (you do not need to have a Facebook account in order to view the album):  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.451981024873867.101778.100001859201674&type=1&l=9577c13e9e

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