By Sgt. Angela Walter, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Public Affairs Office
DENVER —The Colorado House of Representatives gathered at the State Capitol Feb. 7, 2020, to adopt House Joint Resolution 1003; the resolution designated a portion of U.S. Highway 24 to Sgt. Maj. Ryan Sartor, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
“Sgt. Maj. Sartor was always a muddy boots leader, and accordingly went out on at least one mission with each of his teams,” said Tim Geitner, state representative of House District 19. “It was only fitting Sgt. Maj. Sartor’s bravery and love of country and his fellow men be recognized, so we may never forget his sacrifice to our great nation.”
Sartor joined the Army in 2001 and spent 14 years in Special Forces. He deployed over a dozen times to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In February 2019, he deployed to Afghanistan as senior enlisted leader, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG(A), as part of the Resolute Support Mission. Sartor sustained fatal injuries from small arms fire on his final mission in Faryab Province, Afghanistan, July 13. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. He is survived by his wife and three children.
“(This resolution) will allow our community to permanently memorialize and celebrate the service and ultimate sacrifice of Sgt. Maj. Ryan Sartor,” said Paul Lundeen, state senator, District 9. “This stretch of highway will be a (daily) reminder to the many who drive this route, that the sacrifices of our military are real, they are heroic patriots … willing to lay down their lives for the great freedom we all enjoy.”
Members of 10th SFG(A) attended the hearing, including many from Alpha Company. The motion was adopted with a resounding “Aye” from every present member of the House. The Sergeant Major James Gregory Ryan Sartor Memorial Highway will stretch along the main portion of highway 24 through Falcon from the intersection of Garrett Road to the intersection of Elbert Road.
Immediately following the adoption of the resolution, House members greeted the Sartor Family with gratitude and sympathy. Geitner presented each of the Sartor children with an American flag in honor of their father.
“I hope it reminds us daily to be grateful to live in the greatest nation on Earth,” said Lundeen. “And to never take for granted or forget our military members, their Families — who also sacrifice beyond what we might be able to understand — and their selfless service.”