Larkin Mortuary(Sandy) hosted its annual Memorial Day program May 30 at its flagship cemetery Larkin Sunset Gardens. U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, a former USAF B-1 bomber pilot, served as featured speaker and talked about the importance of patriotism. He also honored all veterans, with special focus on those present in the audience.

The program also featured the Hill Air Force Honor Guard, the Minuteman Brass Quintet, Alta High School Madrigals and the Utah Firefighters Emerald Society Drum and Bagpipe Corps. Services featured a flag ceremony, patriotic speeches and songs from each branch of the military.

“The Larkin family is always honored to serve the veterans in our community,” said Lance Larkin, firm president, “and that’s why our Memorial Day service is a major focus and priority for our company.”

In addition, on May 26, more than 200 youth volunteers from around Salt Lake Valley honored military veterans for Memorial Day by placing 3,000 U.S. flags on the graves of service men and women at Larkin Sunset Gardens.

The youths, ages 11 to 18, worked in groups to interpret the cemetery map and identify the graves of veterans. Each veteran’s grave received a large flag to honor his or her service. Additionally, the volunteers swept and polished headstones and helped beautify the cemetery grounds.

Nearly 3,000 military service men and women and their spouses are buried at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Due to the enormity of the task and to ensure that those buried there are not forgotten, Larkin Mortuary partnered with local community youth groups to coordinate the placement of flags on the 76-acre property. larkinmortuary.com