A COMBINED REMEMBRANCE

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Nov 12, 2007 | by JENNIFER WILSON

Because he can't walk, 69-year-old Otto Krueger gets around on a red motorized cart.

Nerve disease damaging the right side of Krueger's body makes it hard for him to move his right arm.

But when the United States and Canadian national anthems started playing Sunday morning, Krueger slowly and painfully rose to stand, his left hand gripping the handlebars tightly to support himself, his right hand raised in the air to form a shaky salute.

The 34-year Army veteran, now retired, wouldn't let physical hardship stop him from honoring his comrades.

"You don't remember the bad times; you remember the good times," said Krueger, who served in the U.S., Europe, Korea and Vietnam.

Krueger joined an estimated 500 others Sunday at Memorial Park for a service honoring the sacrifices of the American and Canadian armed forces. That's Veterans Day for the U.S. and Remembrance Day for Canada.

"Americans are proud to defend North America alongside Canadians," said guest speaker Col. Teresa A.H. Djuric, commander of the 50th Space Wing of the Air Force Space Command at Schriever Air Force Base.

Clear blue skies and a snow-dusted Pikes Peak served as the backdrop for the ceremony as a stiff breeze whipped U.S., Canadian and prisoners of war/missing in action flags.

The service drew old and young -- white-haired widows mourning husbands killed at war years ago and young Army soldiers wearing fatigues and dress uniforms. The service honored veterans from many wars -- Korea and Iraq, Afghanistan and World War II.

America can't forget those who died overseas as well as those who lived and are still haunted today by what they experienced.

"Over 20 percent of America's homeless population are veterans," Djuric said.

More than 100 attendees represented Canada, including Capt. Dale MacMurdo, who's worked at North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, for 11/2 years.

"Canadians have been serving in Colorado Springs for the last 50 years or so," MacMurdo said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0274 or jennifer.wilson@gazette.com