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American Legion Post 72 members participate in a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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The Orem Fire Department Honor Guard performs a flag exchange ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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David Spencer speaks about his father, Col. Gary Spencer, during a Veterans Day program Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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American Legion Post 72 members perform a gun salute Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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American Legion Post 72 members post a military flag Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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An Air Force veteran stands during the Armed Forces Medley Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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American Legion Post 72 members perform a gun salute Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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A Navy veteran stands during the Armed Forces Medley Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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The Orem Fire Department Honor Guard performs a flag exchange ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Orem City Cemetery.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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The final major patriotic holiday of the United States’ yearlong 250th anniversary celebration was recognized Wednesday with ceremonies and assemblies throughout Utah Valley.

In Orem, American Legion Orem Post 72 and city officials honored Veterans Day with a program that demonstrated some of the military’s most revered traditions Wednesday morning at Orem City Cemetery.

A posting of the military flags was performed by Post 72, followed by a flag exchange ceremony carried out by the Orem Fire Department Honor Guard and Post 72. A worn-out flag raised atop the pole at the cemetery’s veterans memorial was lowered and replaced with a new flag. 

With attention directed to the new flag, the Star-Spangled Banner was performed by Timpanogos High School’s “The Chamber Singers.” That was followed by a gun salute from Post 72 members. 

Addressing the veterans and other community members in attendance, Orem Mayor Karen McCandless noted that Veterans Day falls between Election Day and Thanksgiving and asked attendees to be grateful for the sacrifices soldiers have made that allow Americans the right to exercise their civic duties and live in a free society.

“Those freedoms didn’t just happen, and they aren’t guaranteed,” McCandless said. “Generations of men and women have been willing to serve, to leave their homes and families, and to put themselves in harm’s way to defend the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.”

One man who made such sacrifices was Col. Gary Spencer of the U.S. Air Force, who was honored posthumously by his son, Orem resident and Utah County Commissioner-elect David Spencer.

Gary Spencer, who died on Aug. 23 at 95, served more than 30 years in the Air Force and flew over 8,000 miles.

He completed Air Force pilot training in 1955 and served in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, The Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In the 1970s, he worked in the Pentagon in the Plans and Operations Division, and he later served as the executive officer to the Commander of European Command and the commander of the Military Airlift Command. His final assignment was as commander of the Air Force ROTC at BYU.

David Spencer said his father was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, sitting on a tarmac at an Air Force base in Florida, equipped with bombs and prepared to strike Cuba.

“The tensions were immensely high that day, but President Kennedy ultimately called off the mission. I’m so proud of my dad for being ready to put his life on the line to protect our nation,” David Spencer said. 

He said his dad was the type of person who always “shot from the hip,” unafraid to speak his piece and stand up for himself. Gary Spencer also instilled in his son the core principles of faith in God, love of family and devotion to country, David Spencer added.

“He taught me to always respect our nation’s flag and our national anthem, and honor the men and women who fought and died for our freedoms,” David Spencer said. “I hope we can teach the younger generation that freedom is not free.”