Happy Independence Day: from Colorado #3

Today in honor of Independence Day I'd like to share some photos of an unexpected

tour we took on our trip to Colorado.

On Monday, June 26, we were on the road from Colorado Springs to the Denver airport to catch our flight home.  Our tour guide told us we had about 20 extra minutes to spare.

She said  we'd be passing right by the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

  She asked if we were interested in stopping by for a quick ride around the campus and to see the Cadet Chapel.  Everyone was very interested. When I say quick I mean quick, but I made use of the time and was able to get some beautiful photos.

U.S.A.F Academy was established in 1955 at Lowry AF Base, CO.

It moved to its permanent location in 1958.  It is a free tourist destination.  There is a huge Visitor's center(31,600 sq ft) facility that we did not have time to visit.  From the visitor's center you can walk 1/3 mile paved trails to the Cadet Chapel, which is the most visited man made tourist attraction in Colorado. The chapel features 17 spires that each 150' toward the beautiful Colorado blue skies.

Close up of the spires

 side view of the spires as you are walking through the Honor Court to the 

front entrance of the Cadet Chapel

A few of the bronze statutes in  the  Honor Court and aircraft memorials

Within the Chapel one can find a Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist and All Faith worship spaces.

Due to the time we had I was only able to see the Protestant and Catholic Chapels.

The pipe organ in the Protestant Cadet Chapel was breathtaking.

It is the 3rd largest pipe organ in an building that is not a church

click here to view a YouTube Video of the pipe organ in use
Weddings, funerals and other memorial services are regularly held here too.

Alter in the Protestant Chapel

The most unusual architecture  was amazing as were the stain glass windows

Catholic Chapel

Next summer the entire structure will be closed for 4 years to undergo major repairs and renovation.
Click here to read about it
The architecture was years and years ahead of the actual building abilities.
We were told it leaks like a sieve in heavy rain.  

I could have easily spent 1/2 a day looking at everything.  Since this visit was not on our agenda, I was just happy to see what I could.

So on this Independence day I thank all the armed forces who have protected the United States
over all these years and those who are training to SERVE AND PROTECT OUR
GREAT COUNTY.