Coronavirus/COVID-19
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
JCPHD updates these numbers Monday through Friday at about 3 PM. Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:
Cases in Jeffco – Mon: 12,107 | Tues: 12,545 (+438)
Deaths in Jeffco – Mon: 354 | Tues: 356 (+2)
Ever Hospitalized in Jeffco – Mon: 846 | Tues: 889 (currently 149) (+43)
Recovered – Mon: 8,615 | Tues: 8,888 (+273)
Known Cases in Golden – Mon: 403 | (not updated)
School of Mines COVID-19 case page. | Masks are required. | City and County fire restrictions are in place. | Sign up for exposure notifications.
Virtual Golden
9AM Golden Walks
7:30AM Citizens Budget Advisory Committee
CBAC members will hear about the latest sales and use tax revenue and will discuss the 2021 Operating Budget.
8:30-9:30AM Virtual Power Training
10:15AM Baby Time with the Library
10-11:30AM Everything Dinosaur Talk – Iguanodonts
6-7:30PM Viva Los Americanos! Colorado Volunteer Infantry in the Philippines
Viva los Americanos looks at the adventures, trials and tribulations of the First Colorado Volunteers who fought in the Philippines in the Spanish American War. Follow the 1898-1899 exploits of the First Colorado as they travel from Denver to Manila to first fight the Spanish and then later the Filipinos. Get to know such Colorado characters as Dr. Rose Kidd Beere, Sgt. Dick Holmes, and Colonel Henry McCoy. Programs are free for Golden History Museum members and $10 for non-members (plus eventbrite fee). Tickets
6PM Golden Anti-Racism Collective General Meeting
Please join us at our General Meeting for a discussion on City budget priorities, race-based real estate zoning practices, and affordable housing needs in Golden. Register
Real World Golden
3:30-4:30PM Vaccine, License & Microship Clinic @ Foothills Animal Shelter
2-9PM Raise a Pint, Lend a Hand @ Holidaily Brewing Company
Golden History Moment
In honor of Veterans Day, here’s the story of a Golden military hero, contributed by Golden City Councilor (and West Point graduate) Paul Haseman.
Wendell Fertig: A Mines Hero
Military training was part of the Mines curriculum from the beginning with newspaperman and Civil War vet, George West, doubling as the Mines instructor in Military Tactics beginning in 1874. Mines carried forward this military training and in 1911 Mines President Alderson granted graduation credit for participation in Company A, Engineers, of the Colorado National Guard. With this background, Mines was one of the first four schools in America to institute an ROTC program with the first graduation in 1921.
Taking advantage of this military training, Wendell Fertig, who was born and raised in La Junta, CO, graduated from Mines in 1924, taking an ROTC reserve Army commission as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. However, his “day” job was as a mining engineer with Kennecott Copper and later as superintendent of Shenandoah-Dives Mine near Silverton, one of the largest mines in Colorado at the time.
In 1936 Fertig moved to the Philippines, where he worked until June 1941 when he went on military active duty as a Captain. Following the invasion of the Philippines on 20 December 1941, Fertig oversaw the destruction of roads and bridges on large island of Mindanao having been quickly promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Fortunately, his wife, Mary, and two daughters were evacuated in January 1942 on the last ship to leave the Philippines.
When US troops surrendered in on Mindanao in 1942, Fertig’s demolition duties had him away from the Army HQ. Surviving for several months in the jungle, Fertig determined to continue fighting and organized a small guerilla force. He had no supplies but was able to build a radio from various pieces along the walls of a room following directions for a radio kit (but no parts).
This very elementary radio finally was picked up by Radio Station KFS in San Francisco in January 1943. Army officials suspicious of treachery sought to confirm this unknown resistance force. Fertig, who was presumed dead, was asked the name and location of his first born. Answer back by Morse Code, “Patricia – Golden, Colorado.” With this verification, Gen MacArthur supported the resistance, which under Fertig’s jungle leadership from 1942 to 1945 grew to a 40,000-Filipino force. For his leadership and bravery, MacArthur awarded now Colonel Fertig the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s 2nd highest medal for bravery, in August 1943.
At the end of the war, Fertig, malnourished and ill, was hospitalized at Fitzsimmons Hospital for several months during which time he purchased a home near the Mines campus at 1020 16th St (now the site of the CoorsTek Center for Science and Engineering). Leaving the hospital in March 1947, Colonel Fertig was appointed Professor of Military Science & Tactics at Mines and in September 1950, Mines President John Vanderwilt appointed Fertig to the additional position as Assistant to the President, with offices in Guggenheim Hall.
Following additional military service in the Pentagon from 1951-1956, Fertig returned to Golden as a mining consultant and for 15 years from 1960 until his passing in 1975, he served as the Executive Secretary of the Mines Alumni Association.
As a real Mines and Golden hero, Fertig’s exploits are recorded in They Fought Alone by John Keats.
