Categories
Join Pikes Peak Library District this Veterans Day in celebrating our veterans and their families.
Programs
Veterans Day Storytime
Meet some of the veterans in our community as they make Storytime guest appearances in the days leading up to Veterans Day. For ages 3 – 7 and their families and guardians.
- Fri., Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Library
- Tue., Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. – Monument Library
- Tue., Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. – Rockrimmon Library
- Tue., Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. – Ruth Holley Library
- Thu., Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. – East Library
- Thu., Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. – High Prairie Library
- Fri., Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. – Library 21c
- Fri., Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. – Palmer Lake Library
Patriotism in America Past and Present
Will America ever have another "Greatest Generation?" In her book Unintended Hero, local author Becky Van Vleet explores the question of whether America will have another “Greatest Generation.” Her book delves into her father's up-close and personal battles on the USS Denver in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Join Becky for an interactive book talk about patriotism from the Greatest Generation in World War II to present day. Ages 16 and up. Registration recommended.
Veterans Day Poppy Painting
Learn more about the palette knife painting technique and try it for yourself by creating beautiful poppy designs in honor of Veterans Day. Registration required.
- Thu., Nov. 2 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. – Fountain Library
- Sat., Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – East Library
- Mon., Nov. 6 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Monument Library
- Tue., Nov. 7 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. – Sand Creek Library
- Wed., Nov. 8 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Calhan Library
- Sat., Nov. 11 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Manitou Springs Library
- Mon., Nov. 20 from 10:30 a.m. - noon – Cheyenne Mountain Library
Patrons of Influence: Military Veterans in El Paso County
Celebrate local veterans and hear from a panel of military veterans who are providing positive influences in culture, leadership, and business in the Pikes Peak region. Panelists will discuss their shared interest and experience on how diversity strengthens organizations and communities. There will be a Livestream option for anyone who wishes to attend virtually. A Question-and-Answer session will follow the discussion. Registration is recommended to attend in-person, and required for the Livestream.
Booklists
Resources
- Military & Veterans LibGuide
- This guide offers local information and general resources for Colorado-based military and veterans.
- Freegal
- This guide offers local information and general resources for Colorado-based military and veterans.
- Freegal
- Veterans Day Collection: 50 Patriotic Songs
- Veterans Day (radio broadcast)
- Gale Ebooks
- Search this database using the key word “Veterans” for further reading and information. (Note that this resource is available at the Library or you can access it remotely with a library card that starts with a 4 and your PIN.)
Websites
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Learn more about VA resources, the PACT Act, healthcare for veterans, life insurance, memorials, and other crucial information for veterans. - Veterans Day 2023
Familiarize yourself with Veterans Day history, including why Veterans Day moved from October to November, what Armistice Day was, and why schools close in recognition of this federal holiday. - Veterans Day 2023
Includes information on the importance, history, and the traditions of Veterans Day - Veterans Day
Read about the history and traditions of Veterans Day.
Family websites for active military and veterans
- Sesame Street for Military Families
Find bilingual (Spanish and English) information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression. - Babies on the Homefront
Military and veteran parents will find ideas for enhancing everyday moments with their baby or toddler. - Parenting for Veterans
Discover parenting help when you need it, on any device with access to the internet.
In recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, join Pikes Peak Library District for Community Conversation: Hunger and Homelessness Awareness as we welcome local experts and community leaders to discuss homelessness and housing insecurity in the Pikes Peak region. Community Conversations invite the public to discuss current events and issues impacting the Pikes Peak region with the goal of promoting civil dialogue and a greater understanding of different perspectives. After a facilitated discussion session with the panelists, there will be time for questions from the audience.
Thu., Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. — East Library
Click here for the Conversation Guide and panelist questions.
Panelists Include:
Angela Roberts (Pikes Peak Community Health Partnership (CHP)
Roberts holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of North Texas and a master’s in public administration with a certificate in grant writing, grant management, and program evaluation from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She served as a Housing Navigator Specialist with CHP prior to accepting her current role of Transformation Manager. In this role, she leads efforts to expand and improve cross-sector partnerships to reduce the number of youth and veterans at-risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in our community. Roberts has volunteered and held internship roles at various nonprofits in the Colorado Springs area since 2010 and has a passion for serving members of the community in need of housing support and assistance.
Beth Hall Roalstad (Homeward Pikes Peak), MSW
Roalstad is the Executive Director of Homeward Pikes Peak. Prior to taking this role in January 2017, Roalstad worked as the Senior Vice President of Engagement at Pikes Peak United Way. She has also been the Executive Director for the Innovations in Aging Collaborative and the Women’s Resource Agency. Roalstad received her master’s in social work from the University of Denver in 2000 and a Bachelor of Science in political science from State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1991. She is a graduate of the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute in 2014 and the Denver Community Leadership Forum in 2005.
Since joining Homeward Pikes Peak, Roalstad has expanded programs to serve women and families experiencing homelessness by building community-based services that provide substance abuse treatment and transitional housing. She has also spearheaded the creation of several new programs such as Street Outreach, The Commons, a new permanent supportive housing apartment building complex, and The Bloom House Residential Treatment Center, a new program for pregnant and parenting women with addictions. Under her leadership, Homeward Pikes Peak has grown from serving 150 clients in 2016 to over 1,000 in 2022 and has more than tripled its budget through contracts, earned income, and philanthropy.
In addition, Roalstad serves on numerous community boards and has an extensive list of volunteer work with local non-profit organizations. She combines her passion for legislative advocacy, social work, and community building in all the work she undertakes. For fun, Roalstad hikes, runs, and travels as much as possible.
Crystal Karr (City of Colorado Springs)
Crystal Karr is the Homeless Prevention and Response Coordinator for the City of Colorado Springs. She brings the experience of frontline work with homelessness, domestic violence, and families experiencing housing instability and homelessness to the City of Colorado Springs. Karr is committed to collaboration and community-based solutions to make Colorado Springs a safe and beautiful home for all of its citizens.
Joel Siebersma (Springs Rescue Mission), MA. LPC
Siebersma has worked in the fields of addiction and homelessness for 15 years. After graduating from Colorado Christian University with a master’s degree in counseling, he began working at the Springs Rescue Mission. Siebersma has led teams of substance use disorder counselors, case managers, and behavioral health staff toward the goal of person-centered treatment resulting in housing, health, and work. Most recently, as Sr. Director of Transformation and Research, he focuses on identifying innovative trends in homelessness alleviation from around the country and adapting those cutting-edge programs for local application.
Sgt. Olav Chaney (Colorado Springs Police Department)
Sgt. Olav Chaney has been with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) since 1991, working in many different divisions and roles. Sgt. Chaney now leads the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) for CSPD and has been in that role since March 2020. As the Sergeant for HOT, he focuses on providing outreach and resources to the homeless community, addresses and enforces all camping ordinances as appropriate, works closely with Homeless Outreach Team partners, and coordinates clean-ups with the Neighborhood Services Quality of Life Team and Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful.
Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and Citizen-Powered Media for Patrons of Influence: Military Veterans in El Paso County as we celebrate patrons who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in our community. A panel of local leaders will discuss their shared interest and experiences with the ways that diverse voices strengthen organizations and communities.
A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.
Registration for the in-person event is not required but strongly recommended.
You must register for the Livestream event in order to receive the access link. You will receive the link to the Livestream after registering.
Wed., Nov. 15 from 10 – 11 a.m. — East Library
Panelists include:
Bethann Richards, U.S. Army Signal Corps, retired
Bethann Richards is a retired Army veteran who worked within the U.S. Army Signal Corps and is currently a senior systems engineer at Jacobs Engineering Group. She has worked in engineering roles with Jacobs and Lockheed Martin over the last eight years where she was part of a team that supported the U.S. National Security Agency and received an award for her contributions. Fun fact about Richards, she has more take-offs in airplanes and helicopters than she does landings.
Colonel Mark Dickerson, U.S. Air Force, retired
Colonel Mark Dickerson retired from the Air Force with over 4,500 hours in over 40 types of aircraft. He is a graduate and former deputy commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School and spent seven years as a NASA research project manager where he was the only African American research pilot at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. Dickerson holds a B.S. in engineering physics, an M.S. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, and an M.B.A. He published his second book WARNING: This Book May Get You Killed, and has received the Noel Parrish Award, the most prestigious award presented by the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. where he was the former president of the Denver chapter.
Chief Petty Officer Chris Ortiz, Navy, retired
Chris Ortiz is a retired Navy chief petty officer who served 28 years of combined active duty and reserve service in many different positions from being a class instructor to senior enlisted advisor for a gun boat platoon in the coastal riverine squadrons. He has been employed at Colorado Springs Utilities for the last 25 years. These two paths have provided Ortiz with many opportunities to grow as a leader, mentor, and as a person who always takes care of the careers and personal growth of his soldiers, sailors, marines, and employees regardless of gender, culture, or ethnicity.
Marsilino ‘Lino’ Calica, U.S. Army, retired
Marsilino ‘Lino’ Calica retired from the U.S. Army after being stationed all over the world. Like many Native Hawaiians adjusting to a changing island, Calica, eight of his siblings, and many family members joined the military in pursuit of greater opportunities. His time in Germany, Honduras, and Korea let him cultivate the leadership skills that he uses in his current position as network systems analyst at Pikes Peak Library District. Calica has championed military personnel and their families through his work with his American Legion Post 209, even serving as the commander. His time is fondly spent with Susanna, his wife of 47 years, and being silly with his family.
Colonel Cynthia Aki, Air Force Veteran, retired
Cynthia Chung Aki retired as colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 30 years of service. She began working in public health and administration health services while giving back as a volunteer on numerous boards and committees. In 2022, Aki launched the Golden Lotus Foundation. This nonprofit advocacy group provides intergenerational opportunities for people to experience Asian heritage and traditions, and hosts an annual Chinese New Year celebration. Aki, who is of Chinese descent, has become an informal spokesperson for the Asian community in Colorado Springs and has set ambitious goals for the future of her foundation.
First Sergeant Carlos V. Gonzalez, Jr., U.S. Army, retired
Carlos Gonzalez served in the U.S. Army for 26 years and retired as a first sergeant. He is the current president of the Widefield School District 3 Board of Education and owner/agent of the local Carlos Gonzalez State Farm Agency. He applies his 30 years of leadership experience as founder/director of the non-profit True North Empowerment Services, Inc., which mentors both adults and youth and is owner of Leadership 360, a leadership training company. Gonzalez holds an M.A. in human resource management and was awarded the Army Bronze Star, five Army meritorious service medals, and a Joint Service Achievement Medal from his service which included tours in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.