Veterans Day events scheduled over long weekend

Veterans Day this year falls on Sunday, and many events are also planned before and after that day. Some of those events are being put on by young students who are eager to show veterans their thanks.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will be one of the speakers for a 2 p.m. Saturday ceremony and wreath-laying at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Road in Bluffdale.

On Sunday the public is invited to a parade that starts at 11 a.m. at Murray Park, 5201 S. State.

At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the American Preparatory Academy, 12892 S. Pony Express Road, Draper, is inviting veterans to attend its annual celebration.

Members of the Reid School's National Junior Honor Society want veterans and their families and friends to attend a multimedia presentation on Friday at 12:45 p.m., inside the school auditorium, 2965 E. 3435 South in Salt Lake City. The second such event at the school will feature original music, a teacher playing "Taps," a dramatic presentation, poetry, stories and a flag ceremony conducted by members of the Army.

"It was so wonderful that everyone has asked for it again this year," said Shuana Tateoka, school adviser for the Honor Society.

Aundria Medina, 13, a seventh-grader at the Entheos Learning Academy in Kearns, is looking forward to presenting veterans with a painting and a reading of an original poem she helped write, "Because You Were There." Medina and others from her school are inviting veterans and the public to their celebration Monday, noon to 2 p.m., at the Taylorsville Assembly Hall, 1247 W. 4800 South.

The public is invited to several events at the University of Utah, which this year is honoring 11 World War II veterans during special ceremonies.

Events at the U. include:

Friday

• 8:45-10:15 a.m., panel discussion, "They Also Serve Who Stay Behind," at the Olpin Union Building, Panorama East area.

• 11 a.m., full-dress ceremony honoring 11 WWII veterans, Olpin Union Building, main ballroom,

• 1 p.m., Joe Muscolino band, Big Band USO Tour, Olpin Union Building, main ballroom.

Saturday

• 7 p.m., Veterans Day concert by Utah National Guard's 23rd Army Band, Huntsman Center.