Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover the inspiring story of Jim Markalunas, a third-generation Aspen native, Korean War veteran (US Marine Corps), and lifelong Roaring Fork Valley community leader in this heartfelt interview from the Roaring Fork Veterans' History Project, hosted by Lt.Col Dick Merritt.
Join us as Jim shares his experiences:
Growing up in Aspen's "Quiet Years"
Serving during the Korean War
Returning to contribute to his hometown as water department director, city council member, and advocate for Roaring Fork rail transportation
This episode preserves the personal history and reflections of a dedicated veteran and local icon from Aspen, Colorado. Perfect for those interested in Korean War veterans stories, Aspen Colorado history, Roaring Fork Valley veterans, military oral histories, and preserving America's veteran legacies.
Don't miss this touching tribute to service, community, and the enduring spirit of the Roaring Fork region. Jim passed away at home in Aspen in February, 2026
#KoreanWar #VeteransHistory #AspenVeterans #RoaringForkValley #USMarines #MilitaryHistory #OralHistory #AspenColorado #ColoradoVeterans #KoreanWarVeteran
Subscribe for more powerful veteran interviews from the Roaring Fork Veterans' History Project!
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
Discover the inspiring story of Jim Markalunas, a third-generation Aspen native, Korean War veteran (US Marine Corps), and lifelong Roaring Fork Valley community leader in this heartfelt interview from the Roaring Fork Veterans' History Project, hosted by Lt.Col Dick Merritt.
Join us as Jim shares his experiences:
Growing up in Aspen's "Quiet Years"
Serving during the Korean War
Returning to contribute to his hometown as water department director, city council member, and advocate for Roaring Fork rail transportation
This episode preserves the personal history and reflections of a dedicated veteran and local icon from Aspen, Colorado. Perfect for those interested in Korean War veterans stories, Aspen Colorado history, Roaring Fork Valley veterans, military oral histories, and preserving America's veteran legacies.
Don't miss this touching tribute to service, community, and the enduring spirit of the Roaring Fork region. Jim passed away at home in Aspen in February, 2026
#KoreanWar #VeteransHistory #AspenVeterans #RoaringForkValley #USMarines #MilitaryHistory #OralHistory #AspenColorado #ColoradoVeterans #KoreanWarVeteran
Subscribe for more powerful veteran interviews from the Roaring Fork Veterans' History Project!
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
