Category Archives: 2023

Travis Cain: U.S. Army Special Forces, Deceased

Sergeant First Class (Retired) Travis Cain will forever be remembered for his love, devotion, and brutal honesty. A native of Cañon City, Colorado, Travis traveled the country and world through military service, eventually returning and living the remainder of his life in his hometown. A truly unique man who had relationships all over the world, while simultaneously maintaining friendships with his elementary school classmates.

Even as a young boy Travis enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and exploring in the mountains. Travis would leave school on his bicycle and head to the Arkansas River with a fishing pole, staying out until he had to return home at dark. He was always known as a “hell raiser”, causing mischief and making his Mom and family worry about him, sometimes needing to be bailed out of trouble. He joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old, ultimately taking pride in the fact that he became an elite, decorated Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant with a GED.

Travis served his first duty station in Fairbanks, Alaska, as an infantry mortarman (11C). He often shared stories of his early time in the Army, some of which were so outlandish you would question if they were entirely true. But Travis kept in contact with many of the men from his first duty stations, and they can verify those tales if you connect with them.

Eventually, Travis realized his ambition of becoming some-thing more elite, attending and  graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course. There are dozens of stories told of those times as well. Travis continued on to become an 18D, a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, learning trauma medicine and life saving techniques that saved countless lives in combat. Travis found himself in numerous emergency situations that affected civilian lives as well, because he was the kind of man who stopped to provide aid when others would not.

SFC Cain spent the majority of his time with the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, CO, serving on Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 0215, 0225, and the Maritime Operations Detachment. The men who served with him refer to him as a leader that always held them  accountable; a man who they followed because they trusted him and he was true to his word. A man who would run straight into a gunfight, a man who would never ask someone to do something he would not do himself, a man who will inspire soldiers through his stories for years to come.

To summarize Travis’s military career is impossible, but during his five combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa he received many awards and medals to include the Bronze Star for Valor, Bronze Star Medal w/ 1 OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor,  Army Commendation Medal w/ combat device, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal w/ Combat Device, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award) and NATO Medal. Travis’s Badges include the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Badge and Special  Forces Diver Supervisor Badge. Travis considered the epitome of his career as serving as the  Operations Sergeant for SF ODA 0225 during an Afghanistan deployment in 2016. He retired  honorably after nearly 21 years of service.

One of Travis’s favorite deployment stories was how he met his wife, Sarah. He often said “I like our love story the best” with a smile on his face, telling the story of how they met in Baghdad, Iraq. They had a fourteen-year relationship full of adventures and lessons, loving each other  unconditionally through obstacles and raising three beautiful children together. Travis was a  devoted and fiercely protective father, always taking the kids on adventures and bringing home “surprises” nearly every time he left the house. He was proud of the young adult his oldest daughter, Hailey, is becoming and the friendship they were forming.

Travis enjoyed a good party, turning a regular weekend BBQ into a 50-person gathering, cooking up some of the best steaks and ribs on the grill. As a devoted member of the motorcycle community, he had friends and ties with numerous motorcycle organizations and clubs through-out the  country. Known in the community as “Trash”, he could walk in a room and strike up a  conversation with anyone, making you feel like the most important person in the room because of his presence in the conversation. He was known for his warm hugs and sideways, beautiful smile. Travis was the man that you could always count on to answer the phone, spending hours  conversing and offering support when needed. Everyone valued his advice.

Despite his own struggles from a lifetime of sacrificing for his country and others, Travis was a mental health advocate. He had long, deep conversations with other veterans and friends to help them address their own struggles and seek treatment. There is no doubt Travis has impacted and benefited more lives than one can imagine. The loss of Travis will be felt by an enormous  community for a very long time, but the memories and lessons we learned from him will stay with us forever. By sharing those stories, we honor him and keep his spirit alive.

Travis will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sarah, daughters Hailey and Reagan, son Jason, mother Terri, father Daniel, brother Jeff, sister Sarah, aunts and uncles, cousins, numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, and the dozens of friends he considered brothers. Travis was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Rose, his Uncle David, numerous friends and teammates, including SGM Ryan Sartor and SFC Tony Thornsbury. May he be at peace, reunited with his fellow heroes and friends.

(Obituary from the Griffin Funeral Companies.)

(Editor/GG: I met Travis twice down at the Special Forces Motorcycle Club headquarters in Florence. He was a great, great guy. Travis took his own life. One of too many veterans everyday. Travis left a wife and three young children. They need financial help. Please find a way to help this young family. It is going to be a long, hard road for them. God speed, Travis.

Fundraiser:

A fundraiser has been set up at e.givesmart.com by the Special Forces Foundation. The direct link is: https://e.givesmart.com/events/xch/. Or you can type in “Travis Cain Memorial Fund” in Google or Yahoo and click on the link. Please be generous.)

Obituary: Phyllis Jean Lehrman

Phyllis Jean Lehrman, 91, was born to Howard and Lucia Havens in Newton, Kansas. Phyllis was the oldest of 13 children. She attended and graduated from Newton schools. Phyllis married Otto Lehrman on May 29, 1949. In their 74 years of marriage, she and Otto set an example for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of what it meant to love one another deeply and in all things.
Phyllis was a homemaker and worked in the kitchen for the Newton school system while her four boys were in school. She was active in the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary while living in Newton. However, her lifelong career was caring for her husband and four sons and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1984, she and Otto retired to their home in Tanglewood Acres near Westcliffe, Colorado, where they have lived independently for the last 40 years.
Phyllis and Otto loved to travel from early on in their marriage and they enjoyed many years together traveling in their RV. Their children and grandchildren were often fortunate enough to travel with them, seeing the country and creating many memories. She loved the ocean most of all and would sit to watch the waves roll in while collecting rocks on the beach. Her love of sunsets is one shared with several of her grandchildren. Continue reading Obituary: Phyllis Jean Lehrman

Stained Glass Windows Project Update

Panel # 5 “ISSACHAR.
Photo and story from Fred Hernandez

Our Lady of the Assumption
Stained Glass Windows
Project Update:

Panel 5 installed

by Fred Hernandez

Thursday, June 1st, panel number five of twelve was installed at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church on Fifth Street in the town of Westcliffe, Custer County. The twelve panels represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Each of the tribes was founded by one of the twelve sons of Jacob. This panel is named after ISSACHAR. He was the ninth son of Jacob and founder of one of the tribes. In Hebrew this name translates to “man of reward”. The other panels already installed are the tribes of Simeon, Dan, Benjamin and Joseph.
Each panel weighs about thirty pounds and takes at least three months to complete. The work is slow and can be rather tiring, requiring a sharp eye and steady hands for the detail and precision which is of paramount importance. The team which works closely with the Master Glass Maker Douglas Bayer are all members of the parish : Catherine Virden, Debbie Yackley, Jim Potyraj, Boden Wilson and Steve Yackley.
The next panel will put this marvelous project at the halfway mark. Glory to God in the Highest.

Flower Recall Election Is a Go

Flower Recall Election Is a GO!
Judge Rules Recall Petition Valid
Slams Hedberg’s Attempt to Stop the Recall

June 7, 2023

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
Looks like ol’ Jordy “Red Bug” Hedberg caused Custer County a LOT of money and trouble again as he tried to derail the recall campaign against Custer County Commissioner Tom Flower with a bogus complaint that caused a huge ruckus. But, in the end, thankfully, justice prevailed and a recall election against Flower will be held soon and hopefully the Flower train wreck will derail and we will have a new Commissioner. Continue reading Flower Recall Election Is a Go

May Westcliffe Town Meeting

by Becky Olson
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Town of Westcliffe was held on May 16th, 2023, and convened as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in Patterson Hall. All Trustees were present and proceedings commenced after recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and unanimous adoption of the consent agenda.
The first item of old business was consideration of a request by Town Manager, Caleb Patterson, to modify the type of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations the town will be installing with the help of a grant from two “fast” (level 1) and two “slow” (level 2) chargers to one fast and three slow ones. The request came as a result of the increased cost of the EV chargers since the grant was originally awarded. After a fair amount of discussion, the motion passed with Mayor Wenke and Trustee Art Nordyke dissenting and voting no. Continue reading May Westcliffe Town Meeting

Class of ‘23 Scholarships

Custer County High School graduating Senior class
members accepted scholarships on Thursday evening, May 25th.The list of scholarships and recipients is below:

 

 

 

 

 

All photos courtesy of Mike and Donna Holt

American Legion
Marlee Foster
Ben and Weldon Rusher Memorial
Emma Rusk
Ben Kettle Memorial
Emma Rusk
Custer County Alumni
Brooke Bomgardner, Emma Rusk
Custer County Board of Commissioners
Haley Nameth
Custer County Cattlewomens
Emma Rusk
Custer County Sheriffs Office
Paige Lorenzen
Dan Riggs Memorial
Kylee Morrell, Cameron Penkoff, Emma Rusk
CCSC-1 Faculty-Staff
Brooke Bomgardner, Jonah Carichner, Weston Jones, Kylee Morrell, Haley Nameth, Emma Rusk
Fremont County Cattlemen’s Association
Emma Rusk
Jack and Ruby Geroux Memorial
Emma Rusk
Jack Slater Memorial
Joey Arnone
John and Mary Dilley Memorial
Brooke Bomgardner
Kirkpatrick Bank
Brooke Bomgardner, Jonah Carichner, Kylee Morrell,
Emma Rusk
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resources
Brooke Bomgardner, Marlee Foster, Emma Rusk
Mission Wolf
Brooke Bomgardner
Mt. Moriah Lodge
Brooke Bomgardner
PEO
Portia Arrigo
PTSO
Brooke Bomgardner, Jonah Carichner, Marlee Foster,
Kylee Morrell, Emma Rusk
Rebecca’s Fund
Haley Nameth, Cameron Penkoff
Richard and Iris Wilson Memorial
Haley Nameth
Royal Gorge Realtors Association
Haley Nameth
Sangres Art Guild
Haley Nameth
Sangre de Cristo Electric
Cameron Penkoff
United Business Bank
Brooke Bomgardner, Jonah Carichner
Wet Mountain Fire Auxiliary
Ty Bomgardner, Marlee Foster
Wet Mountain Valley Rotary
Brooke Bomgardner, Marlee Foster, Paige Lorenzen

Thank you to the Local Agencies for over$60,000 in Local Scholarships!
Congratulations Class of 2023!

Venerable Silver Cliff Museum Opens

Venerable Silver Cliff Museum Opens
Built Originally In 1879 –
Now 144 Years Old

 

by Fred Hernandez
The versatile museum building on Main Street in Silver Cliff housed the first fire department of Custer County on the ground floor while on the second floor was the town hall. In the 1950’s the town hall moved to the yellow house on Main Street in front of the car wash until the current town hall was constructed in the mid-seventies and where the town hall is located today. Continue reading Venerable Silver Cliff Museum Opens

CDPHE Giving Round Mountain Water a Hard Time

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
We heard some rumors lately that the Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District (RMWSD) was extending the new water tap halt till 2024. That would be bad news for the two towns but would have affected the Town of Silver Cliff a lot more. So, we contacted RMWSD to see what the skinny was. Dave Schneider, the District Manager, was kind enough to spend some time with us to get the facts and there could be a problem. Continue reading CDPHE Giving Round Mountain Water a Hard Time

May 2 & 3 BOCC- New County Attorney, SO Repair, Carsten’s Jeep

We Are So Blessed!
Two BOCC Reports in One Article

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
Our mighty three musketeers, that is our three Custer County Commissioners held two Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings last week. One on May 2nd and the other on May3rd. All three muskies were present at both meetings: Chair Kevin Day and members Bill Canda and Tom Flower. Both meetings started at
9 a.m.
The May 2, 2023
BOCC Meeting:
Staff Reports:
Sheriff Rich Smith was the first victim. Smith reported that the Sheriff’s Office (SO) had a grand total of eight transports to/from the hoosegow in Cañon City. He reported that our Fremont 911 Authority costs will go up around 5% this year. Continue reading May 2 & 3 BOCC- New County Attorney, SO Repair, Carsten’s Jeep