Totally on a side note, is that a 10th Mountain license plate?
The modern 10th mountain division at Drum started in the 1985. While based on the original and very important, they are a different story.
The 10th Mountian "Ski Troopers" plates in Colorado refer to the original 1940s 10th Mountian Division that trained at Camp Hale in Colorado. They trained for high altitude mountainous combat and were key in taking Riva Ridge and other important mountian battles in Italy which ultimately led to the end of WWII.
When they returned many of the original 14,000 10th Mountian came back to Colorado and are reaponsible for our ski industry. Some went to other states and kick started their ski industry, but it was especially important in Colorado where they had originally trained. We owe ourski industry and hut system to the 10th Mountian.
Many here have are decendents or friends of the original 10th. Even for those that aren't the 10th is very important to Colorado's history, especially if your are a skier or use the hut system.
Many of the "Hard core" skiers here, like myself, know exactly who is responsible for our ski areas and therefore know the original story and wear the 10th Mountian plates as a tribute and sign of respect. I have them on all 5 of my current cars for this reason and have since they were introduced in 1998.
There is a bill now I think to make the fees for the 10th Mountian plates also go to charity at the 10th Mountian Foundation.
