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Chief Marc Masters presents Keyvan Esfarjani, CEO of IM Flash Technologies, the 2011 Golden Key Freedom Award during a Veteran's Day ceremony at IM Flash Technologies's facility in Lehi on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald

James Roh

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Chief Marc Masters addresses the audience during a Veteran's Day ceremony at IM Flash Technologies's facility in Lehi on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald

James Roh

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Audience members clap for Chief Marc Masters during a Veteran's Day ceremony at IM Flash Technologies's facility in Lehi on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald

James Roh

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Chief Marc Masters addresses the audience during a Veteran's Day ceremony at IM Flash Technologies's facility in Lehi on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald

James Roh

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In this nation and elsewhere people observed Armistice Day on Friday, known in the United States as Veterans Day.

While schools and civic organizations often acknowledge this day with programs honoring American veterans, it is unusual for a corporation to take the time to honor its vets on Veterans Day.

IM Flash Technologies executives and staff did so with obvious pride.

“As one of the leaders of IM Flash, it is truly a privilege for me to be taking part in honoring and giving respect to our veterans who have bravely served or who are serving our country,” executive officer Keyvan Esfarjani said.

Gov. Gary Herbert recently awarded IM Flash with the 2011 Golden Key Freedom Award at the state Capitol rotunda for the corporation’s support of military veterans. The Lehi campus has slightly more than 1,600 employees, of which more than 10 percent are veterans.

The company is a joint venture of Micron Technology and Intel, formed to manufacture NAND Flash memory for use in consumer electronics, removable storage and handheld communication devices.

Human resources workforce manager Kevin Driggs said they are aggressive in recruiting veterans.

The company’s core values — integrity, teamwork, execution and commitment — closely coincide with what veterans learn in the military, according to Driggs.

“Obviously we spend a lot of time in recruiting veterans because they bring to us a unique skill set already focused around our core values,” Driggs said.

“We consider them to be an extremely vital part of our operation and without them we wouldn’t be as successful as we are. We wouldn’t be able to compete the way that we compete so they are fantastic.”

The 45-minute program was set outside in front of the main building on its campus overlooking Utah Valley.

Utah Valley University ROTC cadets presented the colors, the IM Flash Ensemble sang the national anthem and Timpview High School junior Sarah Dickson played “Taps. “

Esfarjani presented the Golden Key Freedom Award to the company veterans during the ceremony.

“To be honest, we go after hiring the best, there is nothing patriotic about it,” he said. The quip received chuckles from the audience.