Question of the Month - November 2020
Oct 26, 2020 11:02AM ● By Melanie Wiseman and Siggie Carpenter
What’s the most memorable history-making event you’ve witnessed in your lifetime?
Mesa County
Jeannie Davis, Grand Junction
“I was 14 and in Washington, DC visiting relatives when we watched the crew of Apollo 11 land on the moon. I also consider these history-making moments in my life: the 1960s civil rights movement, John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, Woodstock, The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, microwaves, color TV and the Challenger explosion in January 1986. It was my children’s first disaster.”
Doug Beyer, Grand Junction
“My greatest memory in history is flying home to Chicago for Christmas in 1968 and seeing Chicago burning at night from the plane because of riots protesting the Vietnam War. The many fires burning all over the city made a big
impression on me as a kid.”
Linda Larson, Grand Junction
“The first thing that comes to mind is 9/11 and the nearly 3,000 people killed. But the coronavirus pandemic is a global event that will forever change our definition of ‘normal.’ Whoever would have imagined wearing masks, refraining from hugging loved ones, school restrictions and social distancing? To me, this is by far something all of us will not forget any time soon.”
Steve Jordan, Grand Junction
“The Apollo space flight and the first humans on the moon. I still remember where I was and what I was doing when the news flash came in.”
Montrose-Delta County
Judy Coons, New Castle
“On January 20, 1961, I was an 18-year-old member of the Navy’s Drill Team stationed in Maryland. We had the privilege and honor to march in John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. It’s one of my favorite treasured mementos.”
Bob Hogan, Montrose
“It was 1961. My mom and I were looking through the paper and we came across a photo of U.S. combat troops boarding a plane. It was the first time the U.S. publicly announced our involvement by sending military advisors and troops to South Vietnam. It left a lasting impression.”
Marilynn Huseby, Montrose
“I will never forget 1969. I was watching TV along with the whole world and saw Neil Armstrong put his feet on the moon. When he said, ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,’ everyone believed in the possibility of peace and healing humanity...just what we’re all hoping for now.”
Rex Swanson, Montrose
“As a former mayor of Montrose, passing legislation is always a historical moment."
