By O’Dell Isaac

One day is not enough.

With roughly 90,000 former military service members calling Colorado Springs home, honoring their service and sacrifice with a single day seemed inadequate.

“We are a community of veterans,” said Andy Koen of the special event management firm O’Donnell and O’Donnell. “We thought our annual celebration should reflect that fact, so we added to the traditional event to make it bigger and better.”

This year, O’Donnell and O’Donnell has partnered with the city, the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, the Fine Arts Center, and the ANA Money Museum to launch the inaugural Veterans Week celebration.

An 11-day observance honoring the city’s veteran and military presence, Veterans Week kicked off Nov. 1 with the Air Force vs. Army football game and will culminate on Nov. 11 with a wreath-laying ceremony at Memorial Park.

The Veterans Day parade was revived last year after being canceled suddenly due to a lack of funding and low participation. Local civic, military and business leaders rallied to bring it back, with O’Donnell and O’Donnell at the forefront.

“John O’Donnell has been doing the St. Patrick’s Day parade for decades,” Koen said. “He also does the Manitou Parade of Lights and the Rodeo Parade. Parades are kind of his thing. He knows how to put these on.”

On Friday and Saturday, as well as Veterans Day, residents and visitors can view a visual timeline of U.S. military history during the Purple Heart Exhibit at the ANA Money Museum. Among the many historical items on display will be the original artwork used in the design and engraving of the Purple Heart medal, an array of military awards and decorations – including some from the Civil War era – and the George Washington “life mask,” a plaster cast of the first U.S. President’s face.

“That’s a pretty unique display,” Koen said.

Admission to the Money Museum is $8, with free entry for kids under 12, veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

Downtown Colorado Springs will also serve as a visual tribute to the city’s veterans, officials said. The “Salute from the Springs” flag campaign will feature thousands of U.S. flags in honor of the veterans, retired military, and active-duty personnel who make up nearly one-fifth of the city’s population.

Residents and local businesses can purchase an 8 x 12-inch U.S. flag, adorned with an honoree’s name, service branch and other details. Each flag costs $25 and will be on display for the duration of the Veterans Week observance. All proceeds will benefit the parade, officials said.

“We’ve got about 90 entries in the parade already, and we’re encouraging everyone in Colorado Springs to come out and celebrate our veterans,” Koen said. “It’s going to be a great time.”

IF YOU GO

What: Purple Heart Exhibit

When: Friday-Saturday, Memorial Day, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: ANA Money Museum, 81 N. Cascade Ave.

Price: $8, free for kids 12 and under, veterans, active-duty military and their families, money.org

What: In Their Honor Veterans Day Parade

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

Where: Tejon Street, Downtown Colorado Springs

Price: Free, ithveteransdayparade.com