Update

To briefly recap the other day's service at the state capital, BAA was invited (thanks to Craig Fischer) to be part of State Representative Mark Cloer's resolution HJR05-1045(pdf):

Be It Resolved...

That we, the members of the General Assembly, honor the memory of the Coloradans who gave their lives in service to their country in Iraq; and

That we honor the service, dedication, and valor of all military personnel from Colorado who have served and who are currently serving in Iraq

Find the direct link here. I was in the gallery, overhead at the front of the room, and below me were several representatives (big wigs!) of Ft. Carson (rep. Cloer was a teacher at Ft. Carson, once upon a time). The resolution was one of the final items on the agenda, and it kept getting pushed back because of political games. I warmed up at 9:00am and finally got to play at 11:40am! yikes! It was a very emotional moment, and there were several House members in full tears (rep. Cloer insists that he wasn't really crying, just a bit "misty-eyed"). I couldn't tell what was happening on the floor beneath the balcony I was on, but I was told later that the 3 servicemen there got a little misty-eyed, too. After I finished and the soldiers returned to their seats I got a little nod from the commander. Boy, you just can't ask for better recognition than a nod from the group that it means the most to. Sober, official, serious nod of job well done. That made me a little misty-eyed.

After the resolution passed (unanimously), the entire roll call of the House was added as co-signers and it moved to the State Senate for approval. So I got to do it all over again, this time without the wait. The Senate was not working on any other business, waiting for this resolution to move from the House. Same again, 24 more notes, fewer tears, the satisfaction that the soldiers that died protecting us have received due recognition.