On this Veterans Day, we want to thank those who have served in our armed services. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. While Memorial Day pays tribute to those who have died in war, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans but especially gives thanks to living veterans. Here at the Utah State Archives, we want to honor the service and sacrifice of our veteran employees by sharing a little bit about each individual’s experience.
Allen Guglielmotto served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years. He received three Air Force Commendation medals as a Fighter Jet Mechanic. Some of his favorite memories include the opportunity to work in twelve countries (including Egypt) and riding in an F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1984. Allen currently works as an Archival Technician in our Reformatting section.
Lisa Catano served in the United States Air Force for 4 years with the “Orderly Room,” which, in civilian terms, means administration. Lisa specifically worked with human resources and personnel for a mobile communication unit. She looks back on it as a great experience. Lisa is now the Inactive Record Storage Program Manager at the State Records Center in Clearfield.
Chaz Leech served active duty in the U.S. Army for 4 years as an 75B – Personnel Administrative Specialist. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (Oahu), and was assigned to a field artillery unit (1st Battalion 8th Field Artillery) in the Battalion Command Offices. He also served in the Utah Army National Guard for two years in the same capacity (personnel specialist for a field artillery unit in Ogden). Chaz says that although being stationed in Hawaii was awesome, it was strange living on an island after having grown up in Utah where the land seems to go on forever. Chaz currently works as a Record Storage Specialist at the State Records Center in Clearfield.
The Utah State Archives and Records Service thanks the thousands of men and women worldwide that make our world a safer place. We will continue to work with Utah’s Division of Veterans and Military Affairs to preserve their records and ensure that the service and sacrifice of our Utah Veterans is remembered for generations to come.