Heroes stand tall, whether or not they stand.

The latest round of heroes is in Vail for three days of skiing.

We're lucky , because heroes show up here twice every spring for a little skiing.
It's good to see heroes in their natural habitat, with their families and friend, like they are as part of the Vail Veterans Program and the Wounded Warrior Project. They've been shot at and hit, so they know that life is precious and short and that it should be lived.

Matt Kell is one of nine wounded Iraq War veterans here for some skiing. He's part of the Vail Veterans Program and the Wounded Warriors Project. That good looking young fella strapping Kell down is Brian McCartney. If you've ever had a good time skiing in Vail, you need to thank Brian for it. (Randy WyrickpPhoto)

Thursday as they were getting geared up at the base of Golden Peak, three men skied over to thank them for all they've done, all they've sacrificed. Another stopped to thank them and say how great it is that they're enjoying some of Colorado's best skiing conditions.

Local volunteer angel Cheryl Jenson has been bringing these heroes to our town for years."It's a lot of work for a lot of people, but it's worth every minute," said Chery.

Nine skiers and their families. Some well down the trail of happily ever after. Some, like Kade and Becky Hinkhouse or Andrew and Tauni Pike, are just setting out. The nine skiing vets have several things in common: youth, enthusiasm, a stint in Walter Reed Army Medical Center for some painful rehab following some horrific war injury in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You watch enough John Wayne movies and you forget that wars are fought by kids straight out of high school or college. Then you're lucky enought to talk to these heroes and you're reminded. The stores are eerily similar: "We are on patrol then there was this explosion..."Then they're in an ambulance, and eventually Walter Reed. The events tend to run together. Their stories are like most life stories, except for the violent interruptions. Roadside bombs are popular with the enemy. So are snipers.

Watch Andrew Pike dote on his 1-year-old daughter. He's young, strong, bright, good looking. His wife Tauni looks like the attractive high school senior class president/cheerleader she might have recently been. Their daughter, Brynlee is adorable, with huge eyes and a quick smile, like her parents. She was born after Andrew was out of the hospital.

Andrew was in Iraq with the 82nd Army Airborne in 2006 when a sniper nailed him on his lift side. When he was hit, instantly paralyzed from the waist down, he fell on his weapon and dislocated all the ribs on his left side. If he leans on them too hard, a chiropractor has to put them back in order.

Kade Hinkhouses Kevlar helmet was blown off by a roadside bomb in Iraq. he has a plastic plate in his head, but he knows where his heart is - with Becky. They married each other last June near their home on colorados Eastern Plains. Cheryl and husband Bill made it to the wedding.

Nine heroes. Some parts don't work like they used to. Some parts are missing. But that military-instilled confidence, that con-do/must-do attitude, is strong with this group.

They are all alive and weren't certain they would be. While they are alive, thiey intend to live. .