A number of Veterans Day activities will be happening this week in Utah County. Many are yearly events and some provide one-time entertainment celebrations, but all of them are being held to honor the country’s veterans both past and present.

Friday

• The “For Heroes Proved: Veterans Day Celebration,” part of the 2023-24 BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts series, takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Brigham Young University Music Building. Celebrate Veterans Day with this patriotic tribute concert featuring Tony-nominated Broadway star Derek Klena (of “Anastasia,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “Wicked”) and the BYU Wind Symphony. In honor of their service, local veterans and their families are invited to attend free of charge. Contact the ticket office for more information.
• In Payson at 11 a.m., the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Central Utah Veteran’s Home, 1551 N. Main St., will hold a Veterans Day ceremony with keynote speaker retired Brig. Gen. Tyler B. Smith. Music will be provided by Daughters of the American Revolution. The public is invited to honor veterans for their dedication and patriotism and keeping their legacy of courage and commitment alive.
• From 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, commemorate Veterans Day at Utah Valley University’s Noorda Center, 800 W. University Parkway. In recognition of the institution’s founding as a vocational school to fortify the United States’ war effort in 1941, the UVU administration are presenting performances of “History That Doesn’t Suck” with professor Greg Jackson, looking back at the American Revolutionary War.

Saturday

• Starting at 9 a.m. at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St. in Orem, join in a free event celebrating veterans in the area. The day will include music and patriotic presentations and a patriotic event featuring keynote speaker Guy W. Grenny, one of the areas last living World War II veterans. Grenny served in the Navy. There will be a parade of service flags by American Legion Post 72 and a BYU and UVU Air Force ROTC Honor Guard rifle drill. There will also be a display of military vehicles on the front lawn and musical guests. The Orem Heritage Museum will also be open for free tours after the event, and the museum features a whole room filled with military and veterans displays.
• At 11 a.m. at the Orem Cemetery, 1520 N. 800 East, the annual Veterans Day service will be held. The tradition of having the event on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is still holding true for American Legion Post 72, sponsors of the event. This year, Ninzel Rasmuson, president of the American Legion for Utah, will be the keynote speaker. The event is an hour long and is free to the public.

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