r Local veterans were honored on Saturday, March 10, at the Veteran’s Honor Ball organized by Miss Orem, Amanda Flinders.
Around 250 people attended the event held at the Orem Senior Friendship Center. The group was made up of mostly veterans and city royalty from around the state who danced with the veterans.
American Legion Post 72 presented a flag ceremony and Miss Utah, Jessi Kate Riley, played the national anthem on her violin.
Flinders partnered with the Utah Valley University Veteran’s Success Center to present $4,000 in scholarships for student veterans. The Veteran’s Success Center is a place for veterans to come and get support and help with their government forms.
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Major Brad Prescott was named Veteran of the Year. He served for 20 years in the Army Sigma Corp. Flinders said she met him 2 years ago when she was a Miss Orem attendant and they did assemblies about patriotism at local schools together. “I was so struck by his warmth and kindness,” she said.
Flinders has made serving and supporting veterans her service platform as Miss Orem. She organized the ball as a way to say thank you. The veterans were touched by her efforts.
“I still can’t believe how nice the Military Ball was,” said Prescott. His wife, Helen, said, “The guys loved it! Title holders kept coming over and talking to the veterans and making them feel so good. They had a fantastic evening, and were so grateful to be remembered by the kids.”
Steven Foster said, “My wife and I haven’t had such a good time in a while.”
Many asked if the ball would become an annual event. Flinders, a UVU student, hopes she can keep working with the Veteran’s Success Center to do it again next year.
“As much as the veteran’s care for each other, they need civilian support as well. That’s incredibly valuable,” she said. As Miss Orem, she has worked to help promote veterans support throughout the city.
“I really want to help the youth connect with the veterans and help the veterans of all ages, including those I go to school with,” she said.
Sponsors of the event were:rOrem Senior Friendship CenterrUVU Veterans Student Affairs OfficerCascade Family DentalrMidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza CompanyrCafe ZupasrNu SkinrRay Quinney & Nebeker PCrLittler MendlesonrJeffs & Jeffs, PCrAssurancerUtah Community Credit UnionrMountain America Credit UnionrWalmartrCostcorUtah Military History GrouprMcGees Stamp & Trophyrand Several Anonymous Donors
