Jerry Curtis (middle), commander of the American Legion, Department of Utah, District 7, accepts a flag from the Southern Utah American Legion Riders, Hurricane, Utah, May 23, 2026.
Photo courtesy Kevin Cox
‘I just wanted to do my part’: Red Cliffs Rifle & Pistol Range dedicates monument to veterans
By Kevin Cox
May 26, 2026
Memorial Day is never just another Monday for Steve Myers, a Vietnam veteran.
“Some of us got back—some of us didn’t,” Myers says.
But this year, the former Air Force staff sergeant will have a special place to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Red Cliffs Rifle & Pistol Range dedicated a monument to veterans on May 23.
Red Cliffs believes it is the only monument in Hurricane honoring both deceased and living veterans.
To start the dedication ceremony, the Southern Utah American Legion Riders delivered flags that are part of the monument. A patrol vehicle from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office provided a lights-and-siren escort. The procession occurred on Shooting Sports Park Road, leading to Red Cliffs.
Photo courtesy Kevin Cox
It’s impossible to miss the monument, which is located in the area where all visitors are required to stop and sign in.
“Now, when we roll into the range, deep in our hearts, we know: ‘Yeah, we were there,’” Myers says. “We can look at it and be proud of our service.”
Myers, who loaded bombs onto F-4s, volunteered right out of high school.
“I just wanted to do my part,” he says. “My dad was in the Army, so he served, and I thought it was the best thing to do.”
Myers was part of the ceremony to dedicate the monument. He raised the Air Force flag, one of seven that are now flying at Red Cliffs. Range members representing the other five branches of the military—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force—also took part.
The Stars and Stripes took its rightful place in the center, and Utah Monument Co. of St. George installed 2,000 pounds of commemorative stonework to complete the memorial.
Photo courtesy Kevin Cox
It was a major project for the 62-year old family business, now on its third generation. The top piece is 83 inches long, 22 inches tall and 6 inches thick. The foundation stretches 93 inches, adding another 6 inches in height and 12 inches in width.
“I’m very proud, knowing that the monument is there, representing our service and our dedication,” Myers says.
Even though the Space Force is less than seven years old, the newest branch of the military still had representatives: Red Cliffs member Dave Syndergaard and his wife, Jennifer Owens, who both served in the Air Force Space Command, the primary predecessor of the Space Force.
For Owens, who retired as a lieutenant colonel, the monument at the range represents progress—when she started her career, she would often be the only female in the room.
“And now, there’s a lot more women serving in the military,” she says. “It’s very refreshing to have more camaraderie, and more diversity.”
