A human resources specialist with the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard set out on a mission to maintain the guard’s awards and mementos.

For Cpl. Sam Mance, that mission evolved into a project at Turkey Creek Ranch that can preserve the FCMCG legacy for years to come.

“(1st Lt. Anne Maffey, former OIC, FCMCG) told me that color guard leaders had wanted to do something with all of their awards, mementos and legacy materials for some time, and that if I wanted to take over that duty, it was all mine,” Mance said. “So, among my other duties at Turkey Creek, I began renovating an old cabin on the property into a museum for the guard.”

He walked into the old cabin only to find dust, cobwebs, rotted wood and filth-caked windows, but he says he felt undaunted. Possessing a wood-working and carpentry background, he knew he could get the place looking shipshape within a few months.

Mance scoured the post and parts of Colorado Springs to collect picture frames and materials. He hung photos of past members, teams, horses and leaders, and those photos cover the walls in most of the museum’s rooms. What was once a dreary, decrepit eyesore now appears fresh, clean and sparkling. The log-cabin walls create a homey, warm glow and giant wood beams highlight a vaulted ceiling in the structure’s ceremony room.

He brought his own tools to Turkey Creek Ranch to make repairs and even built a 12-seat dining table for the cabin’s great room from scratch. Past color guard uniforms, banners and other regalia greet all those who visit.

“Though it is a work in progress, I wanted to create something any unit would be proud of,” he said. “It won’t be open to the public, but like a lot of units that have regimental rooms, this will be something that can help preserve the unit’s history and create esprit de corps. For such a small, little place it has a story to tell.”