For the past seven years, Bart Cowley at Utah Independent Bank has coordinated a touching display of local veterans’ memorabilia, showcased each year during the week of Veterans Day. The collection continues to grow in both size and significance as community members share new items and stories honoring their loved ones who have served. This year, Cowley added a solemn and symbolic “Empty Chair” place setting in the bank’s lobby to honor Prisoners of War, those Missing in Action, and all families who have experienced loss due to war. The display includes a poem explaining each element: the lemon for the bitterness of their loss, the salt representing tears shed, and the empty chair with an upturned glass symbolizing the loved one who is no longer able to join the table.
“I was really touched when I saw this display and wanted to include it in ours here,” Cowley said. “Everyone who has been touched by a veteran’s sacrifice has an empty place at their table.”
Cowley also shared stories from local families who provided items for this year’s display. One family contributed a photo of their grandson, currently serving in Iraq, standing beside a local soldier from the same region who shares their family’s last name—both meeting by chance at a U.S.-led training. Another family brought in a bag containing gear their grandfather wore while serving as a crew member on sniper aircraft: heavy gloves and a thick coat needed because the planes lacked both insulation and heat. Yet another story, passed down through generations, described how soldiers were issued cots to tie between trees for sleeping—only to discover upon arrival that the trees had been destroyed by bombing, leaving them to rest on the bare ground.
“These veterans have given so much, and it is important to me that their sacrifices—and the sacrifices of their families and loved ones—are not forgotten,” Cowley said, explaining why the bank continues this annual tribute.
He expressed deep gratitude to all community members who entrusted their cherished memories to be shared with the public through this meaningful display.
In addition, the Veterans from Redmond were honored with a wonderful dinner on Veterans Day. The dinner was funded and prepared by volunteers from Redmond town residents who wanted to honor their hometown military veterans. Thank so all who helped out!
