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Dedication of veteran’s memorial tops America250 in Sanpete

BySuzanne Dean
The entry arch, flag poles and light posts were in place earlier this week at the North Sanpete Veterans Memorial, which will be dedicated Saturday at 3 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant. Life-size figures representing each branch of the armed forces, plus military nurses, were scheduled to be installed in a few days. During the dedication. Gov. Spencer Cox and Congressman Burgess Owens will speak and the figures will be unveiled.

MT. PLEASANT—The most dramatic America 250 and July Fourth event in Sanpete County this year is expected to be the dedication of the North Sanpete Veterans Memorial Saturday at 3 p.m. at 750 S. State.

The North Sanpete Veterans Memorial Committee, headed by Mt. Pleasant City Councilman Bull Keisel, a Vietnam veteran, is hoping for a big crowd. “We want every seat filled,” Keisel says.

Gov. Spencer Cox, along with Rep. Burgess Owens, who represents Sanpete County in Congress, will have roles in the dedication program.

The memorial, positioned on an island on State Street (U.S. 89) in Mt. Pleasant, will undoubtedly be the most prominent veterans memorial in the county.

An impressive arch stands at the entrance to the memorial. And surrounding the base of the structure are flags, an American flag, a Utah flag and flags of the various service branches.

In front of the flags are life-size figures, standing on pedestals, representing each branch of the armed forces. One unique feature is a figure depicting a military nurse. Keisel insisted that nurses be honored because, he said, they saved his life in Vietnam.

Along the back side is a memorial wall for veteran names. Veteran names will also be embedded in walkways through the memorial.

“When those flags go up and the covers come off the statues, it’s going to be an unforgettable moment for this valley,” says Debbie James, committee member and events coordinator for Mt. Pleasant City. “This place is for every veteran from our area.”

The dedication program will begin with a call to order and an opening prayer, followed by a flag ceremony conducted by members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

With the audience standing, the flags will be raised and the national anthem played.

Gov. Cox and Rep. Owens will both speak. Then Owens will offer the dedicatory prayer. Then the statues will be unveiled.

The event will close with a three-volley salute and playing of “Taps” in honor of members of the armed forces who never made it home.

The memorial was completed on a fast track. The first committee meeting was less than two years ago.

“From the very beginning, people have stepped up in every possible way, donating money, time, equipment and expertise,” says Maria Ricks, a committee member. “Even the small change donation boxes set up in businesses have been filled.”