Memorial Day: 2 Utah veterans' cemeteries ranked among the nation's ‘most revered'
Arlington National Cemetery.
Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Hawaii's National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, aka 'The Punchbowl.'
For Americans across generations, each of those military burial grounds are regarded as sacred — the final resting places for legions of veterans who fought the nation's wars.
But many other military cemeteries in the country are equally revered — including two in Utah: Fort Douglas Post Cemetery in Salt Lake City and the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale.
Choice Mutual, an insurance agency specializing in funeral insurance, recently surveyed 3,000 Americans and asked which military cemeteries they would most like to visit.
They compiled and ranked 97 'Most Revered Veterans' Cemeteries to Visit on Memorial Day'.
Several military memorial locales included in the survey findings — including Arlington and Gettysburg — are famous.
Others, less so.
But each cemetery, according to respondents, 'carries its own kind of meaning.'
Fort Douglas Post Cemetery is ranked No. 39 in the Choice Mutual survey. Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park is No. 85.
Besides enjoying traditional holiday barbecues or maybe a round of golf and other 'kick-off-summer' fun, many Utahns on Monday will visit a military cemetery or participate in Memorial Day ceremonies.
Expect both Fort Douglas and Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park to be filled with American flags and grateful visitors throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
For active-duty soldiers such as Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber, Memorial Day remains a day to remember the men and women who invested their lives so generations of Americans can work, play, worship and live freely.
'Every time I think of my friends who paid that ultimate price, I ask myself if their investment was worth it,' he told the Deseret News.
'Every time I see kids playing safely at the park, or I hike in the mountains, or fish on public land and enjoy the freedom around me daily, the answer to that question comes clearly to me — it is definitely worth it.'
Kroeber hopes all Utahns observe Monday's holiday by remembering that some have given all to ensure liberty for others.
'Think about them and why they were willing to give everything so you could have the freedom to choose how to live your life,' he said. 'Please continue to be a people and live an idea worth fighting for.'
It's likely that many lifelong Salt Lake City residents have never visited the 3.25-acre Fort Douglas Post Cemetery located near the University of Utah.
It was transferred from the U.S. Army to the National Cemetery Administration in 2019, according to the NCA's website.
But there are myriad reasons to spend an hour or two on the memorial grounds, said Fort Douglas Military Museum spokesperson Fiona Robinson.
'It's a historic cemetery for one, with burials going back to 1863,' she said. 'There's been some real passion put behind the establishment and care of the cemetery here at Fort Douglas.'
Camp Douglas was established in 1862 by Colonel Patrick E. Connor of the California Militia. A cemetery site was selected within the camp — with the first committal happening that same year.
The original 1862 plot contained 22 headstones and one large grave marker associated with the 1863 Bear River Massacre, the first military interments here, according to the National Cemetery Administration.
A 20-foot tall monument carved of red butte sandstone located in the center of the cemetery honors the 21 soldiers killed in the Bear River action.
Most of these markers — carved using sandstone from Red Butte Canyon — reportedly deteriorated to the point that they were replaced with government headstones in the early 2000s.
The grave of Utah Territory Gov. James D. Doty features a marker made of the same material.
A 15-foot-tall granite monument in the cemetery's southeast corner was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1933 honoring World War I German prisoners of war who died while interned at Camp Douglas.
Robinson hopes more people include Fort Douglas Post Cemetery in their Memorial Day activities. It's a placid place that's rarely crowded; tucked away from the city and traffic.
'It's not just a cemetery, it's a shrine,' she said. 'It's a monument to veterans and people who were associated with the military — whether it was a wife who lived here at Fort Douglas, or a civilian worker up here at Fort Douglas.'
Meanwhile, the survey's 85th-ranked Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park is marking its 35th anniversary.
Dedicated on Memorial Day in 1990, the cemetery is state-operated and located immediately north of Camp Williams in Bluffdale.
The Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park offers a panoramic view of the Wasatch Mountain from a peaceful corner of southwest Salt Lake County.
It is the final resting place for many local veterans and their families.
'Every aspect of the cemetery,' according to the cemetery's website, 'is a reflection of our respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of those who have served.'
A chapel functions as the centerpiece of the cemetery and is available for memorial services.
Meanwhile, the cemetery's administration office houses a collection of military artifacts and American history documents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
9 hours ago
By The Numbers: The origins of Pride Month
A look at the numbers behind the significance of the month of June for LGBTQ+ Americans.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
101-year-old Dunwoody veteran travels to France for 81st D-Day anniversary
The Brief Hilbert Margol, 101, traveled from Dunwoody, Georgia, to Normandy, France, to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, honoring the fallen soldiers of World War II. A World War II veteran who helped liberate Dachau concentration camp, Margol reflected on the sacrifices made and was awarded France's Legion of Honour last year. Despite his accomplishments, Margol humbly states, "I never considered myself or any of the other veterans heroes because in my judgment, the heroes are the guys who didn't make it back." ATLANTA - At 101 years old, Dunwoody resident and World War II veteran Hilbert Margol made the journey to Normandy, France, this week to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, joining a small group of surviving veterans honoring those who fought and died in the pivotal battle. Although Margol did not serve on D-Day itself, he was part of the Allied forces that ultimately secured victory in World War II. He first visited Normandy last year for the 80th anniversary and immediately knew he wanted to return. "It was such a fantastic trip. I said, I have to go back again," Margol said. Before leaving for France, Margol shared a farewell kiss with his wife of more than 70 years — a moment captured just as it was during his trip the year before. During last year's visit, Margol toured the Normandy American Cemetery, reflecting on the sacrifice made by thousands of soldiers, even though he didn't personally know any of the men buried there. PREVIOUS STORY: Dunwoody vet travels to France for D-Day anniversary, receives France's highest honor "I know that those that were gave all of the freedom that this country enjoys, and it was quite emotional at the time," he said. More than 2,500 American soldiers lost their lives on D-Day alone, with more than 400,000 Americans dying during the war. Over 16 million Americans were called to serve. "All the veterans that I served with, you know, were born and grew up during the Great Depression. So we were used to tough times. So going into combat was not that difficult," Margol recalled. Margol's military service included a profound and somber moment — alongside his twin brother, he was among the first American soldiers to enter the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945. "We knew almost nothing about such camps, so whatever we saw, witnessed a lot of dead bodies and so forth. We didn't understand why they were there, why they were dead," Margol said. Last year, Margol was one of 11 U.S. veterans awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit. "When President Macron of France pinned the medal on my jacket, he leaned over and kissed me on both cheeks, which I expected because that's European custom," Margol said. His trips to Normandy were made possible through the support of the Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines. Despite the accolades, Margol remains humble about his service. "I never considered myself or any of the other veterans heroes because in my judgment, the heroes are the guys who didn't make it back," he said. For Margol, the journey across the Atlantic wasn't about reliving history — it was about paying tribute to those who never returned.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Almost 1 in 3 High School Graduates Don't Feel Ready for 'Real Life'
Fact checked by Sarah ScottA new survey shows 32% of high school graduates say school didn't prepare them for the real world. Some high school graduates feel pressured to become social media content creators. Parents can help fill the gaps to help prepare their kids for life on their schoolers are mastering square roots, cell division, the Revolutionary War, and how to write the perfect essay. But, what about learning more practical skills? Case in point: My teen recently called me to ask how to boil water—I wish I were kidding! Meanwhile, I'm certain she isn't being taught how to fill out a tax return or other real-life applications in high school. Yet, in one short year, she'll be off on her own! Now, a new study by online education company K12 reveals that both parents and students have reservations about how ready kids are for life after high school graduation. According to 300 recent high school graduates and 200 American parents, these eye-opening realities were also teased out: 32% of high school graduates say school didn't prepare them for the real world. 59% of students aren't ready to deal with credit, taxes, or insurance. 38% of kids feel unprepared to manage money. 30% of grads say they feel unready to handle stress and have mental health concerns. It's also worth noting that more than half of recent grads say social media is shaping what they plan to do for their careers, with some admitting to feeling pressure to become content creators. There seems to be a divide between what kids feel they are ready for and how their parents view their preparedness. Consider that 84% of parents believe their kids will be more successful than they were at the same age. But parents also expressed concerns about their child's ability to handle life post-high school, especially when it comes to their emotional states, with 81% saying they've shared worries with their kids about their trajectories after receiving their high school diploma. Now that my soon-to-be high school senior knows how to boil water, my plan is to figure out what else I can do to get her ready to take on an independent life away from home. Adam Hawf, K12 Superintendent, tells Parents that the first step in promoting 'real life' readiness is to make sure your child can come to you with any questions and receive guidance without judgment. Then, it's all about tackling one thing at a time. 'Gradually imparting skills that are key to survival, such as how to file taxes, manage health insurance, or create a monthly budget, can go far toward establishing competence and confidence,' Hawf says. Scott Stump, the CEO for the National FFA Organization, a national, school-based, youth leadership and career readiness program, encourages parents to make these learning experiences hands-on when possible. For instance, you might have your child observe and help you complete a tax return or credit application. 'Kids learn by watching us,' Ariana Hoet, PhD, Executive Clinical Director, Kids Mental Health Foundation (KMHF), says. 'While it may seem boring, it's helpful to have kids participate in adult things like taxes and paying bills.' As a Millennial mom, I graduated to 'the real world' without social media—and even the internet!—as a factor in my career-planning process. But as this study points out, 1 in 3 kids are feeling the pressure when it comes to succeeding online. Am I alone in being resistant to the idea of my child chasing likes for money? Hawf says that although this is a relatable sentiment, parents should dig deeper to understand why their child wants to be an influencer. 'Is it freedom, creativity, money?' he prompts parents to understand. No matter the reason, according to Hawf, 'This isn't so much about having to go viral. It's about a generation growing up in a world where online success is highly visible—and often glorified.' Kids are going to aim for what they see, agrees Dr. Hoet. 'If they are on their phones for hours a day, they are exposed to content creators for hours a day,' she says. What parents can do to counteract this influence is to expose them to other career paths. 'I think it's important that high schoolers be regularly reminded that there is a world outside of social media,' concurs Stump. Of course, it's OK if a teen ends up as a happy and successful creator. But as he says, 'There are a multitude of different career pathways that exist outside of the realm of our social feed.' Ultimately, parents need to recognize that their kids are growing up in a different world than they did, according to the experts. 'Gen Z is coming of age in an era of constant visibility, economic instability, and information overload,' Hawf says. More access to information can help today's grads gain exposure to more career opportunities than ever, but Hawf cautions that this can also lead to decision fatigue and emotional burnout. That said, as Dr. Hoet rightly notes, parents worrying about their kids isn't anything new! It's still our job to help our grads navigate the next step of their lives, the best we can. Most importantly, we just need to be there for them during this huge life transition. Read the original article on Parents
