Herriman City Hall hosted a modest Veterans Day flag‑raising ceremony on Wednesday, where a small group of veterans gathered to honor those who served and to remember comrades who never returned home. The event was organized with the help of Friends of Herriman, a local nonprofit that supports veterans, first responders and their families.

Veterans Share Their Stories

Marine combat veteran Jonny Larsen spoke about his experiences, recalling his station in Washington, D.C., when he witnessed the attack on the Pentagon. He also served in Iraq, and he said the memories of combat still accompany him. “I’m lucky to be here,” Larsen said, “and I’m always thinking of my brothers who didn’t get to come home.” He added that knowing resources exist can make a huge difference for veterans adjusting to civilian life.

Friends of Herriman’s Ongoing Mission

Penny Flake, a spokesperson for Friends of Herriman, explained that the organization does more than hold a yearly ceremony. “We help families struggling with housing, utilities and food,” Flake said. “We also connect veterans with health‑care, food banks and mental‑health support.” The group aims to recreate the sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that service members experience while deployed, a bond that many find hard to replace after leaving the military.

Volunteer Shortage Hinders Reach

Flake identified a key challenge: ensuring veterans know the organization exists and securing enough volunteers to meet demand. “I think that’s the challenge: volunteers,” she said. Friends of Herriman hopes that additional volunteers will enable the nonprofit to expand its assistance to more veterans and families throughout the community.

How Residents Can Help

Community members who are interested in supporting local veterans can contact Friends of Herriman through the link provided in the original announcement. Whether by donating time, offering professional expertise, or simply spreading the word, volunteers play a vital role in sustaining the network of care that the organization provides.

Looking Ahead

As the nation reflects on the sacrifices of its service members, Herriman’s own veterans and their families benefit from a grassroots effort rooted in faith, family values and a commitment to individual liberty. By strengthening the volunteer base, Friends of Herriman aims to ensure that no veteran feels isolated or without access to essential resources.

Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Salt Lake County) — read the source article.