La Junta Remembers 9/11: 

Honoring the 25th Anniversary 

September 11-12, 2026

 

     Friday, September 11, 2026:

            The 25th Anniversary Commemoration

            Wall of Honor

            Hall of Honor

 

     Saturday, September 12, 2026:

            The Day of Service

            9/11 Day.org Youth

            SSgt. Brian Cowdrey Memorial 5K  

 

Honoring Our Own Hometown Hero

 

 

Staff Sargent Robert "Brian" Cowdrey

Memorial 5K

 

Cowdrey was a 1990 graduate of La Junta High School in La Junta, Colo., and joined the Army in June 2003 and completed initial training at Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He served at Fort Polk, LA., before being assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. 

 

Brian was killed on Oct. 13, 2011, while evacuating 3 injured soldiers in Kunar province in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border.

 

"His last act in life was to ensure the safety of another. That is who he was.” ~His brother in Arms

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Robert Brian Cowdrey

 

May 26, 1972- October 11, 2011

 

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A Legacy of Service: Never Forget

 

Honoring the Fallen, Running for the Future

 

We stand dedicated to honoring the Coloradans lost on September 11, 2001, and preserving their memory for generations to come. In La Junta, this mission is personal.

 

This race is dedicated to the memory of SSGT. Brian Cowdrey, whose life of service embodies the very resilience we celebrate today. As we run, we bridge the past and the future—anchored by the 2051 Time Capsule and driven by the commitment to ensure that "Never Forget" is a call to action, not just a sentiment.

 

We run for those we lost. We run for those who serve. We run for the La Junta of tomorrow.

 

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Invitation to Join the Commemoration Committee

It takes a community to ensure we never forget.

Whether you wish to honor our local First Responders at the “Wall of Honor,” pay tribute to our Colorado victims and veterans at the “Hall of Honor,” or contribute to the 2051 Time Capsule, or participant in the Staff Sargent Robert "Brian" Cowdrey Memorial 5K, your leadership is needed.

We are also inviting local service organizations and nonprofits to host informational booths to share their mission and grow their own volunteer base.

Join the Commemoration Committee today. Sign up below for updates and service opportunities.