Veterans honored at Monticello Flag Day

Monticello citizens gathered on June 14 for a Flag Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. The evening featured a presentation of a new sculpture in the park and proper flag disposal provided by the Utah Army National Guard.
The evening began with a presentation of the new sculpture near the corner of Center and Main Street.
The pedestal and the attached bronze statue of an eagle in flight was purchased using funds raised by the Monticello Parks & Beautification Committee.
Over the course of nine years, the volunteer committee held three gala events. While much of the funds from those events were used for other beautification projects in the city, the committee held on to some funds eyeing an impactful project which became the new bronze sculpture.
Committee Chair Carol Van Steeter noted in remarks that the eagle is a symbol of freedom, and the rock base underneath represents a foundation.
“Let us honor and celebrate the men and women Veterans of our community and our nation who have given so very much. We are the benefactors of a precious heritage of freedom passed onto us through the epic sacrifices of Veterans-some who have given the ultimate sacrifice, to allow us to still stand in freedom.”
Following the statue presentation, Sergeant First Class Jesse Barton of the Utah Army National Guard, directed the proper disposal of old and worn US flags in burn pits. Barton explained that while there are several different ways to dispose of a flag the most important aspect is that the flag is completely burned with no parts left.
The evening saw approximately 450 flags disposed of, with help from local youth groups with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Monticello Parks & Beautification Committee does a variety of projects including organizing flowers on Main Street, putting up Christmas lights at Veterans Park, and organizing the annual city volunteer cleanup ahead of the Pioneer Day celebration. This year’s cleanup is July 17 with volunteers meeting at Veterans Park at 6 p.m.