Home of Heroes: In Pueblo, CO, Veterans Find Community, Opportunity
As home to more Congressional Medal of Honor recipients than any other U.S. city, Pueblo, CO, proudly wears the title of Home of Heroes.
The city commemorates its military heritage with destinations like the Heroes Plaza, Center for American Values, and Vietnam and Korean War memorials at Dundee Park. The Veterans’ Bridge, a tribute to over 7,000 service members, stretches over the scenic Pueblo Riverwalk.
But Pueblo’s commitment to its veterans entails more than monuments. The area boasts a wide range of programs and resources for local veterans.
“Pueblo’s network of veteran support organizations, including the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, provides essential services such as housing, health care and job training,” says Sal Katz Jr., director of rural Colorado services at Mt. Carmel. “Local nonprofits partner with the city’s veteran services to ensure veterans have access to food, mental health resources and more.”
The Pueblo Military Affairs Council remains active, working to solve veterans’ challenges, according to Mark “Yak” Maryak, director of flight training at CAE Pueblo Training Center. The area offers more than just ample support; its thriving culture and numerous outdoor recreation options make it an attractive place to live.
“Pueblo’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains and the Arkansas River makes it an ideal area for many families who want to take advantage of hiking trails, fishing and camping,” Maryak says. “With Pueblo’s rich cultural and historical heritage, there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy, from museums and cultural festivals to historical sites.”
Successful Transitions
The Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in St. Mary-Corwin Hospital provides critical programs for more than 13,000 veterans and their families. It helps with health care, housing, job training and entrepreneurship coaching.
Katz explains that Pueblo ranks No. 4 in the nation for the number of veteran-owned businesses, with 216 companies that employ 1,195 workers. Mt. Carmel assists with two key programs to support veterans in the business community.
First, the Veterans Business Outreach Center, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, helps service members and spouses start and grow businesses.
Second, Boots to Business (B2B) provides entrepreneurial training through the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program. After a two-day introduction to entrepreneurship, participants undergo six weeks of online training to develop business plans.
This mission is personal for Katz, a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major. He served for 32 years with two tours of duty in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, two Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit.
“Pueblo’s support for veterans goes beyond just words. It’s embedded in the culture of the city through active partnerships, memorials and a deeply rooted respect for those who served,” Katz says.
The City’s Military Past and Present
While the Fort Pueblo trading post dates to 1842, true U.S. military installations arrived later. The Pueblo Army Air Base, a key training field for World War II pilots and crew members, opened in 1942.
Also in 1942, the U.S. Army built the Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) to store and ship chemical munitions during the war effort. The PCD site was deactivated in September 2024 after safely destroying 78,000 munitions, including 2,316 tons of mustard agent.
Today, a corridor of military installations stretches through the U.S. Air Force stronghold around Colorado Springs to Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. All U.S. Air Force aviation candidates — and some U.S. Marine Corps aviators — begin their journey at CAE’s Initial Flight Training (IFT) Program.
Maryak oversees all aspects from the IFT curriculum to operations, drawing on his experience in the USAF. Over 21 years of service, he flew in combat operations during Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom as well as commanded the 20th Bomb Squadron. After retiring, he became a pilot instructor with CAE, then accepted the director position in 2022.
Many IFT instructors are veterans who bring years of experience to their teaching and mentorship of the next generation of pilots. For these instructors, CAE offers a resource group called Insignia, which helps provide community and guidance for veterans at all stages in Pueblo and beyond.
“Pueblo is an excellent choice for veterans looking to start the next phase of their lives,” he says. “Working at CAE, I have found a team that values veteran service and is connected to the military community.”
Get to Know Pueblo, CO
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