COLORADO SPRINGS AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Thursday, July 18th began as a work/catch-up morning.  After I did laundry, we decided to drive down the highway to the Air Force Academy. The Academy is an active military training facility with 4000 cadets in a four year higher education learning program.  Each year they take 1000 new cadets into the program.

B 52 bomber

This building houses a theatre, museum and gift shop.

Overlook of only a small portion of the grounds
showing much of the sports complex,
which they consider a program that
will enhance the physical condition of all cadets.

This Academy was the location where a scout from Salem's BSA Troop 2 was stationed for training a few years back. Probably quite a few years back, since time flies!
They took us on a tour which showed us the exterior of some buildings, some training grounds and also into the Chapels and told us all about what was in them.  Much of it I do not remember though.

The Cadet Chapel
is one of the most distinctive buildings in the country
and offers an excellent view of the Cadet area.

The Protestant Chapel which will
hold 500. The cross is 42 ft high.
 The Chapel is constructed of 24000 colored
glass tiles in 24 different colors.
The pew benches back are trimmed
with aluminum that is used in
many of the airplanes.

Pipe Organ in the back of the
Protestant Chapel

On the lower level there were three chapels.
This the Catholic Chapel which also had
a pipe organ, though not as impressive as
the one upstairs.

Stained glass windows in the Catholic Chapel
and wall sculptures.

Portion of a Torah that was
recovered from Germany
after WWII is on display.

The Jewish Chapel, also on the lower level.

Two of nine paintings done in oil on gold leaf
valued at one million dollars each which were hanging
in the Jewish Chapel..
They were painted specifically for this area.

The Buddhist Chapel

Four level dormitory with the first and second
year cadets housed on the lower two levels.

The scenery from two sides of the dormitories is outstanding.

The walk up hill and down on the trail was a challenge for me and did a number on Gary's back.  Boy it is tough to get old-er!!
We spoke with leaders of two scout troops visiting from Georgia and Massachusetts who were on their way to Philmont in NM.

Troop 266 from Georgia

Troop from Massachusetts 

Unfortunately, I could not get all of them in each picture.  

These next pictures were views from the grounds above where the Chapels are located.  

Cadets at work.

When the cadets take their finals and pass,
the jump in this fountain.

We were glad that we took the time to visit this.  We had been tempted to take the day off. And there is so much more in the state of Colorado to see, but not enough time.  Friday will be our last excursion before moving on.
I'll be with you again tomorrow.Stay tuned.