Sandy Treat Jr. honored in Congressional Record

Vail’s Sandy Treat Jr. was honored by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse in the Congressional Record this week. Treat, a 10^th Mountain Division veteran and member of the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame, died at the age of 96 at the Vail Health medical center on Sept. 1.

Here’s the press release from the office of Congressman Neguse, who represents Vail as part of Colorado’s 2^nd Congressional District:

Congressman Neguse Honors the Passing of a 10th Mountain Division Veteran in the Congressional Record  

Washington D.C.— Following his passing earlier this month, Congressman Neguse honored the life of Sanford Morris “Sandy” Treat Jr. in the Congressional Record. Sandy was a veteran of the Second World War who trained for winter and mountain warfare at Camp Hale in Colorado. He returned to Colorado after the war and became a beloved member of the community, eventually being inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame.

Congressman Neguse introduced a bill earlier this year that would designate Camp Hale as the first ever National Historical Landscape in order to preserve and honor the legacy of veterans like Sandy.

“It was my honor to meet Sandy before his passing and I will hold that memory close to my heart as we press forward on the proposals for which he spent so much of his life advocating. My wife Andrea and I are holding Sandy’s loved ones and all those who knew him in our prayers, and hope the nation will join us in mourning the loss of this tremendously passionate and skilled individual.” 

View the entry here.

Read the Congressional Record entry below:

“Madame Speaker, I wish to express my sincere sorrow for the loss of Sanford Morris “Sandy” Treat Jr., a veteran of World War II, serving with the 10th Mountain Division and a longtime resident in the Vail Valley and pillar of the community there.”

“Sandy was one of the first soldiers at Camp Hale, which was established during the Second World War to train soldiers for winter and mountain warfare. The skills he honed there and exposure to the Mountain West would stay with him through war, future business endeavors and raising a family. He returned to Colorado so many years later as a master skier, historian of the 10th Mountain Division, and beloved resident.”

“Sandy’s loss will be felt by so many across the state of Colorado, military, and snow-sports communities. An avid ski racer, he helped to facilitate world renowned races in Vail and the surrounding areas. He was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame – an honor recognizing Sandy’s passion and dedication to the outdoors as well as the service of those at Camp Hale. His advocacy to enact policy that protected public lands are still having an impact; in the large public lands bill worked on by many members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation, Camp Hale is recognized as protected public lands and would be designated as the first ever National Historical Landscape.”