(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center celebrated years of serving veterans in Pueblo and honored the heroes of Pueblo at an event on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Mt. Carmel marked two years since its Pueblo offices opened in 2021 and hosted its Salute to Heroes commemoration on Thursday at Pueblo Community College. The event highlighted veterans of all eras and featured guest speakers from the U.S. Air Force.

“This event highlights the service of veterans in Pueblo and honors the memories of Pueblo’s four Medal of Honor recipients,” said Sal Katz, director of rural Colorado services for Mt. Carmel. “We owe these veterans – and many like them – a debt we cannot repay. We hope today’s event will provide recognition for past endeavors and support for Mt. Carmel as we continue to work to provide services to veterans and their families.”

Mt. Carmel said it has expanded its service to veterans in the Steel City, to include Next Chapter – a UCHealth and Mt. Carmel partnership focused on veteran suicide prevention. Since its opening, Mt. Carmel has served hundreds of veterans in rural Colorado and opened offices in Westcliffe and Trinidad. 

Salute to Heroes is dedicated to those who serve, said Bob McLaughlin, executive director of Mt. Carmel.  

“We are honored to support veterans in Pueblo and rural Colorado,” he said. “We can’t do it without help, so we hope people fully understand our mission in Pueblo and will support us as we serve those who served.”