Santaquin to feature vets in updated Web site

SANTAQUIN, Utah County — Local military veterans' photos will be featured on Santaquin's Web site when it relaunches in August.

Under the direction of City Councilman Fil Askerlund, a committee of city officials and residents is gathering 200-word synopses of their service. The site also will pull information from the city museum about the city's veterans.

Ted Jones, commander of American Legion Post 84, has been assisting in getting veterans to submit their photos and information to the city.

"We should have at least 300 when we're done," Jones said.

Only 20 have been collected thus far, said city treasurer Jody Thomas.

"The first few were really motivated and excited," Thomas said.

A form for the story was sent out with city billing statements. They also are available at City Hall, 45 W. 100 South.

Jones estimates the city has more than 300 veterans who have served in war and peace, though just 28 volunteer with the American Legion post to conduct services at the cemetery or do other veteran-related duties.

"We want all we can get," he said. "Some are so old, we just ask them to hold the flag."

Santaquin holds its Orchard Days celebration the first weekend in August, which is when the site will be launched, Askerlund said. City leaders budgeted $35,000 to rebuild its Web site, www.santaquin.org, which Askerlund said is conservative for a city Web site.

"We're doing as much as we can ourselves," he said.

e-mail: rodger@desnews.com