Armed Forces and have been honorably discharged or are still serving. Originally named Falcon-Peyton Memorial Post 2008, after the towns of Falcon and Peyton, Colorado. In May 2008, the name of the post was officially changed to its present name in honor of Army Specialist Dane R. Balcon, the first person in the Falcon community to lose his life in combat during Operation Iraq Freedom. Balcon was
born on 27 April 1988, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. He joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at Warren High School, San Antonio, Texas. After moving to Colorado Springs in 2004 and then later to Falcon in 2005, Specialist Balcon led the JROTC at both Sand Creek and Falcon High Schools as the Armed Drill Commander. In 2007, he enlisted in the Army as a Fire Support Specialist. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, and 40th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon graduation, Specialist Balcon received his first duty assignment to 3rd Squadron 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Balad, Iraq, on 7 July 2007 and on 5 September 2007 he completed his mission--doing what he loved--serving his country. Balcon was laid to rest on 14 September 2007 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO. Specialist Balcon’s awards and ribbons included: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Weapons Qualification Badge and Expert with Rifle.
