The University of Utah honors 11 veterans from Utah Friday as part of week-long salute to the military
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah is honoring military veterans this week ahead of Veterans Day this Sunday. Today, the school held a ceremony commemorating 11 Utah veterans for distinguished service.
A full military dress ceremony, bagpipe procession, and presentation of medallions to honor these 11 Utahns who served their country at home and overseas.
“As soon as I got to my unit, we trained for about a month, then went straight to Afghanistan, where I spent seven months,” says Marine Corp. Veteran Craig Hanson.
Hanson served for five years before returning to the University of Utah to study biology and chemistry. He hopes to be accepted to the university’s school of medicine.
Ahead of today’s ceremony, Hanson’s professors and fellow students nominated him Student Vet of the Year.
“Which I think means the most to me,” says Hanson. “Being appreciated is very nice.”
Veterans from every service branch were honored, including a veteran of the Navy who served in World War II.
Hanson has an interview Monday for the University of Utah’s school of medicine.