I was in Colorado two weeks ago, and finally kept a pledge to myself. On the way down from Breckinridge to the airport in Denver, I stopped off in Idaho Springs and tracked down this statue of Steve Canyon.

It didn't take much tracking. I asked for directions at a tourist information booth a little way up the highway and the fellow drew me a map. The instructions were, basically, to get off the highway, turn right, right again at the second street and follow it out until just before the Safeway. And there it was.

There are two plaques on the front. The larger one on top reads "Steve Canyon - whose name has been given to a valley near here by the people of - Idaho Springs, Colorado -- This statue is dedicated to all airmen who wore the uniform of the armed forces of the United States in time of conflict, and who stand ready in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to fly again in defense of their country, should the need arise. -- carved by the Indiana Limestone Company and flown here by the 327th Troop Carrier Squadron, USAFR -- July 1950"

The smaller one below says "The United States Treasury salutes Steve Canyon -- and, through him, all the American cartoon characters who served the nation as salesmen in the Independence Sales Bonds Drive, May - July 1950"

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle!