Over 200 people attended Grantsville City’s Veterans Day program and veterans park groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The event began at 8 a.m. with breakfast at the Grantsville City Fire Station. Breakfast consisted of traditional mountain man staples and cost $10 per person, with the exception of veterans who ate for free. The supplies for breakfast were donated by businesses in the community.

At 9 a.m., a program honoring veterans was held.

During the program, paragliders carrying an American flag flew over, the Grantsville High School Orchestra performed, and Mayor Neil Critchlow and members of the Grantsville Veterans Memorial Park Committee spoke. 

Later, at 10 a.m., a groundbreaking ceremony was held to commemorate work beginning on the future Veterans Memorial Park.

“There were a lot of people at the groundbreaking,” said Mayor Neil Critchlow. “Everything was really well done… I appreciate the effort that the committee has put into this.”

The park will be built at 429 E Main Street, next to the Grantsville Fire Station and will include sidewalks shaped like a purple heart, a six-foot-high wall with Grantsville soldiers’ names written on it, a statue of a father and son, granite pavers with the names of soldiers or insignia coins inlaid, a gathering area, and flag poles. It will also include benches, walking paths, and a place for Grantsville firefighters to place the bell they ring on 9/11.

Committee members said they hope the park will be complete by the end of summer 2025.

To donate to the project, submit a name for the wall, or to request a name on a paver, visit grantsvilleut.gov/our_community/grantsville_veteran_park/index.php.

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