While Israelis prepare to commemorate 60 years of independence next month in numerous celebrations across Jerusalem's cobblestone streets, Utah County students kicked off their tribute to the Jewish state at a celebratory banquet in Orem Friday night.

About 90 supporters of Israel and a handful of Utah lawmakers attended a birthday party at Hampton Inn and Suites on University Parkway. The event was organized by a six-member group from the American Israeli Alliance — all students at Utah Valley State College.

Each speaker focused on a strong common heritage between Americans — especially Utahns — and the plight of Israelis on their ever-threatened existence in the Middle East.

Surrounded by hostile neighbors, Israel still finds a way to survive and succeed, said U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon through a staff member. Cannon called himself a lifelong defender of the Middle Eastern state and said he is "acutely aware of the tribulation of this small nation."

One of group's event organizers, Damian MacNeill, 23, said he had to hold the party a month earlier than the official anniversary because of their school's finals schedule but was satisfied with the room-brimming crowd his team has rallied.

"Israel is just one of those issues people have strong feelings about either way," he said. "Meetings like this, that remind us about them, are so important because not only is Israel our friend, they are pro-freedom and pro-democracy."

Many people in the mostly-Christian crowd said their backing for the nation comes from biblical beliefs, and others touted its political alliance with the United States.

"Despite that most of us here are Christians, I think we all recognize a relationship with the Jewish people and their land," said Doug Cornish, a local elementary teacher. "I can't put my finger on it, exactly, but Israel just speaks to your heart."

The event's keynote speaker Bruce Barret,t a Jewish professor from Montana, addressed the history and events that led to Israel's independence and underscored difficulty the nation has with its surrounding "hostile neighbors."

As the Jewish-born professor took on the subject of Israel's nuclear threat from Iran, attendees nodded in support. And when he spoke about preserving legacies, he was cheered.

"Either way, you've got to keep a hold of your heritage," he said relating Israel's founding to that of America's. "And remember those who came before you. That's the reason why America supports and feels so at home (in Israel)."