On the 11th day of the 11th month of every year, 11 Utah veterans are honored on their holiday, Veterans Day.
Today, the U Veterans Day Committee, University of Utah President Michael Young and the U ROTC will award this year’s 11 Utah World War II veterans with medallions for service to their country.
Ann Floor, co-chairwoman of the UVDC, said an emphasis was placed on selecting World War II veterans because so many are dying before being properly honored.
“Fifteen-hundred World War II veterans die each day,” she said. “We decided to award them based on their service and their individual experiences.”
The veterans were selected through nominations made by the general public. From there, a panel narrowed down the veterans to a smaller group.
“We then had ROTC cadets and midshipmen interview honorees,” Floor said. “They then wrote short biographies, which were trimmed by an editor to what will be in the program.”
“The ceremony will be very touching,” she said. “Every veteran has their own incredible stories to tell,” she said.
The ceremony-which also includes a 21-gun salute-will be held at the Union Ballroom at 11 a.m.
Lisa Turner, a co-chairwoman of the UVDC, said the whole day would be full of events that would be of interest to students.
“Depending on interest, there are events that would appeal to many people,” Floor said. “Anyone who loves history would enjoy the panel about fighter bombers.”
This panel, which will be held in the Saltair Room of the Union at 8:45 a.m. today, will focus on the changes made over the years in bombing strategies because of new technologies. Other Veterans Day events include a presentation at the Utah Museum of Natural History on Navajo History at 2 p.m. and the Veterans Day Concert in the Huntsman Center at 7 p.m.
