Eagle Mountain Welcomes Home Soldiers With Parade Through Town

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah – Community members of one Utah County city rallied together to support members of the Utah Army National Guard who have returned from a tour of duty in the Middle East.

The city of Eagle Mountain held a parade Friday to honor the soldiers for their service. It went past several area schools.

It takes a lot of patience to bring 2^nd graders outside. However, Rachel Orr knows there are some lessons better learned away from desks.

“It’s a fun way to support and welcome home people who serve our country,” said Orr.

Orr is a teacher at Pony Express Elementary School on Smith Ranch Road. As her students lined up next to the street, soldiers were lining up just down the road.

Eight @UTNationalGuard soldiers who live in @eaglemtncity were welcomed home today with a parade through town. We tagged along them for a story on @KSL5TV tonight at 6. #KSLTV #WelcomeHome pic.twitter.com/pcq8ZFf6Oq

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 1, 2019

Eight soldiers from the Guard who live in Eagle Mountain returned home Thursday from a nine-month deployment to the Middle East.

The soldiers and their families got to ride fire trucks from the Unified Fire Authority in the parade.

The city just wanted to welcome them home.

“It’s definitely a great honor to know that we’re being recognized, and to also know that we’ve got the support from our community as well,” said Sgt. Jessie Ramirez.

As soon as the fire trucks and patrol cars from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office got close enough to the school, the students knew exactly what to do.

“Here they come, boys and girls,” said Orr.

The students began clapping and cheering while the trucks blared sirens and horns. Students waved at soldiers and soldiers waved back.

“This is how we show them that we love them and thank them,” Orr told her students.

Along the way, even some adults came out to wave flags and say thank you.

“I just wanted to make sure I could show the support to the local guys who live out here in eagle mountain, even though I don’t know them,” said Eagle Mountain resident Cathryn Hanson.

Resident Elizabeth DeGraw brought her children out to wave at the parade.

“We wanted to come out and support them. They’ve been gone nine months, so we wanted to be here for them,” said DeGraw. “It’s important. It’s super important because so much is happening right now in our country and they need to know what’s going on and why these guys are fighting for what we have.”

Even though Eagle Mountain is growing, it’s part of what still gives the community that small town feeling.

“It’s great to be able to go and do the things we did and serve your country, but there’s just nothing like being home,” said Specialist Jeffrey Issa.

“I think it’s awesome. It’s a great thing they do. I love it,” said Specialist Austin Mills. “I love the town and I love the city. It’s been fun.”