Veterans Memorial

Me and Kurtis had the opportunity to put on the Veterans Memorial for the Lions Club this year on November 11th (Veterans Day). We were able to do two sessions for the Nebo View School where they were able just to walk down the street to the Juab Veterans Memorial Park. What an awesome experience it was to put this together. I have so much respect for anyone who has served. Some of those Veterans you can't even begin to imagine what they have been through!! We were also able to put on a program later that day for the community. Here are a few of the things that took place.

What an awesome sight to see the Kindergarten - 3rd grade making their way down the street to participate in this wonderful program. Parents and grandparents were there waiting to see their children preform in this program. Some of the grandparents were even Veterans themselves. This was such an honor to them!


Mr. Paulsen, Principal of Nebo View Elementary talked with the children to get them ready for the program.

Art Woodbury, current President of the Lions Club conducted all three sessions of the program.


Mayor Jones talked at all three sessions on the History of Veterans Day. He also talked of his experiences at Arlington and the spirit you feel there when you visit. He also related Arlington to our own Veterans Memorial how we can come here to feel that same spirit and feeling you get remembering those who have served.


The kids had the opportunity to sing "GOD BLESS THE USA". Oh my goodness did this bring tears to every ones eyes! What a special song and the kids sang it with so much respect. I was so proud of them.

Then we had our speaker. Master Sargent Gerald Stenz who gave a wonderful talk about Veterans day and his service.

After the program we were able to hand out everyone that was there a small American Flag. It was so neat to watch the kids proudly wave them around.
Me and Kurtis took a moment and located his grandpas name who is now part of the pavement at the Park.

It was then time for the 2nd session to come. This group was the PM Kindergarten and 4th grade through 6th grade. Another awesome sight to see!
Steph was in with this group. She was excited because she knew we had been working hard on this.
The kids are seated and ready for the program
Once again the kids had the opportunity to sing "GOD BLESS THE USA". Another tear jerker for everyone!They all listened with family and friends around to Master Sargent Gerald Stenz talk. once again he gave a wonderful talk.
After the program the kids received their flags with the help of the Lions Club passing them out.



Steph got her flag.

Mr. Nielsen, one of the 6th grade teachers with his son was gearing up because he would be back for the community program to sing.
The community session was such a wonderful program also. It is amazing how everyone can come together for this and do their part to make a wonderful program! To start this program out we blessed to have an opening prayer given by President Hitchcock. Then we were graced with the wonderful signings of Kinley Olpin with the star spangled banner. Towards the end of her song We had a wonderful surprise of 30 doves let loose and flew across the sky. What an awesome sight and feeling. I didn't get pics of any of this because I was being respectful with my hand over my heart. Art Woodbury lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
Robert Painter a member of the Lions Club gave us some brief remarks on how the Juab Veterans Memorial Park came to be. Then once again we got to hear from the some of the Nebo View kids singing God Bless the USA. These were the kids that came back with their parents for the community program.
Then once again we had Mayor Jones give us the History of Veterans day. And then we had a wonderful speaker, Barres Jenkins talk on his experiences while he served. He is also a member of the American Legion.
We then had a moment of silence to ponder and remember all the Veterans who have served our country. After our Silence we had Troy Rinlisbacker play Taps for us who is also a member of the American Legion. That song always brings tears to my eyes.Then was the gun salute given by the American Legion Nephi Post 1. I didn't get picture of their actual gun salute because I was so caught up in the moment, but I did capture these pictures of them when they first arrived.

And as I mention before Raymond Nielsen came back to this session to sing "GOD BLESS AMERICA" He did a great job.
We then had a closing prayer by Judge Eyre who is a member of the Lions Club.

What a wonderful experience that was. I am so grateful that the Lions Club asked us to put this together. I have so much respect for Veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our freedoms. We at times take for granted the freedoms we have and forget to honor those who served for us. This was a time we could all come together and honor them. It was a wonderful day!