Highway dedicated to a Vietnam War veteran who grew up there but never returned

BEULAH – A 14-mile stretch along State Highway 78 near Beulah is now dedicated to a Vietnam War veteran who grew up there but never returned home.

It is 57 years since Private First Class Thomas Michael Hanratty, known as “Mike,” went missing in action.

About a hundred people attended the memorial service on Saturday.

“Our family thanks everyone from the bottom of our hearts. Mike’s memory is now at home,” said his cousin Dan.

Mike’s sister Bessie said the ceremony had been more than a year in the making and was the closure their family needed.

“I thought at first it would be pretty difficult to drive past here, but no, it’s like saying ‘Hi, Mike,'” said Bessie.

She told me that Mike joined the Marines and was then sent to Vietnam. His helicopter crew was shot down and no one was found.

“There were no remains to be seen, no parts of the helicopter, it was just a blackened area,” said a gentleman involved in the rescue efforts.

“I was in high school when Mike disappeared in combat. I remember that, I remember the articles in the Chieftain and his name has stuck with me over the years,” said another speaker.

“Hanratty is the only person from the small community of Beulah and one of several from Pueblo County reported missing,” a state senator said.

There will be two signs marking Mike’s memorial route from Pueblo to Beulah. Bessie said they should be put up this month.

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