Gameday Saturdays at War Memorial Stadium are always something special. 

Another one comes this week when the Pokes open Mountain West play with the University of Hawai'i.  

But this piece isn't about that conference showdown.  It's about something that transcends the game. Saturday will be Military Appreciation Day, and within that designation is a very special dedication scheduled for that morning.

Here's where we introduce John Hursh who is playing a major role in making that dedication important and impressive.  A huge Cowboy fan, he's very active in the Cowboy Joe Club.  But, more importantly, he's a Vietnam War veteran who was a captain in the United States Marine Corps, something of which he's extremely proud.  Like all of us, he's proud of those who served and died during this country's wars including the many from Wyoming who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Hirsch, and others from the state's Veterans Commission have been the guiding light for a project that is enhancing why, and for whom, War Memorial Stadium was dedicated in the first place. When it was built in 1950, it was done so to honor the state's men and women who served in World War I and World War II.

From the time it was dedicated in '50, until the late 1990's, there was a small memorial at the south end of the stadium for those men and women.

A much larger monument was erected at the stadium's north end some 18 years ago. That new location was officially dedicated with a ceremony in December of 1999.

The location of the new High Altitude Performance Center, however, meant that another move was necessary.  After much discussion between the UW Athletics Department and the state's Veterans Commission, a new location was agreed upon just a few yards outside the stadium's Gate 6 at its northeast corner.

Hursh and the Commission wanted to make sure that the memorial would be properly rededicated after its new move was complete.  What could be more appropriate for the ceremony than this year's Military Appreciation Day?

That is going to happen Saturday at 10 a.m., and it's going to be a very special rededication, John has made sure of that. There will be a re-posting of the colors and flags from every branch of our military; the rededication itself; remarks by Governor Matt Mead and UW President Laurie Nichols; a remembrance and military honors, and the unveiling of a new and very special addition, a bronze sculpture of the Fallen Soldier Cross. It is something to see!

Jeffrey Burnham Rudolph of Cody, received the honor of sculpting the piece. It is an impressive addition to the memorial, carrying tremendous symbolism. When a serviceman or woman is lost on the battlefield, it has become customary to arrange their boots, rifle and helmet in a configuration depicted by the sculpture.  The surviving members of their squad gather around this "Soldier Cross" to memorialize their fallen comrade.

"The original stadium memorial was dedicated to those who served and died in our two world wars," says Hursh. "Rather than just for the 20^th Century veterans, this rededication is for all veterans who served, from the Spanish-American War through all of our wars, and into the future. We also wanted to make sure that the memorial had a symbol of the sacrifices made by all service men and women. The Soldier Cross does that beautifully."

The Veterans Commission, which paid for the new memorial, has been working on this project since the announcement was made that the new building would be constructed at the north end of the stadium.  "We wanted to make sure that its rededication was a special event" Hursh continues.

"So many have been involved in this project, including the former director of the Veterans Commission, Larry Barttelbort, Joe Sestak (who guided the original move in 1999) and Barry Gasdek. A special acknowledgement must also be made to Stephan Pappas who was the architect and designer of the new location."

It's easy to see (and understand) the pride welling up in Hursh when he talks about this project. Like John, we are all proud of what the memorial stands for, and all of those men and women who served, and made the ultimate sacrifice.  Our thanks to him and the Veterans Commission for spearheading this project.  I know it was a true labor of love and respect.

You might want to come by Saturday morning to take in the ceremony.  It'll make you feel good about our country.  It'll make you proud.