As you pause on this Veterans Day to reflect, you’re reminded that our community is rich because of the service of those who put country before self. The men and women who’ve worn the uniform, your neighbors, your friends, your family members, are part of the living tapestry of freedom, sacrifice, and resilience. You might know a veteran who quietly carries memories of deployments, or families who stood by their loved ones while duty came first. Today is about you recognizing that service, acknowledging how vital veterans are in our lives, and honoring the legacy they leave behind.
When you walk across a freshly paved driveway, glance at a smooth parking lot, or see clean asphalt winding around a business property, know that behind those everyday moments you and I enjoy rests a foundation of stability built by people who’ve given their all. It’s fitting, then, that here in Utah there is a company with deep roots in both community and service. Go Pave Utah takes pride in its hometown and in supporting veterans. The company’s owner has personal ties to military service through his father, Jimmie Lee Boynton (September 13, 1945 – August 22, 2025), who served in the U.S. Army. That legacy of sacrifice and community-minded focus lives on in the company’s values, where paving is more than just asphalt—it’s about building foundations, supporting local families, and giving back.
You may not realize how much a veteran contributes to your community. They bring discipline, values, and a strong sense of duty to everything they do. In your neighborhood, veterans may be coaches, mentors, or volunteers. They make businesses stronger through leadership, families stronger through quiet resilience, and communities safer through a shared sense of responsibility.
The Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA) continues to ensure that veterans are supported long after their service ends. They provide assistance with benefits, education, housing, and employment so that no veteran feels forgotten. These programs remind you that gratitude is not just an emotion but a responsibility to care for those who once protected you.
Think back to a time when you saw a veteran walking proudly in uniform at a parade or watched a child wave a small flag and ask, “Why did Grandpa do that?” You may have heard stories of long deployments, missed birthdays, and years apart from family. These moments show that veterans’ service extends far beyond the battlefield. The skills, work ethic, and determination they carry into civilian life continue to shape the world around you.
At Go Pave Utah, that same veteran spirit is reflected in the company’s work. They show up on time, complete every job with care, and treat each project as something that matters for the long term. Whether it’s paving a parking lot, repairing a driveway, or striping for safety, their team approaches each task with the same integrity that military service instills.
Their respect for veterans is part of who they are because the company’s roots began with someone who served. Jimmie Lee Boynton’s legacy continues in the company’s mission: to build strong, lasting foundations for the community, just as he and countless others did through service to their country.
When you visit your local businesses or drive through your neighborhood, take a moment to notice the veterans around you. Maybe it’s the veteran who owns a small business, the one who volunteers at a shelter, or the one who mentors young people. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Recognizing their service reminds them that what they gave still matters and that their sacrifices continue to shape your everyday life.
As you reflect this Veterans Day, remember that gratitude is not just for one day a year. You can carry it forward by supporting veteran-owned businesses, hiring veterans, volunteering in community programs, or helping spread awareness of the services available to them through organizations like the UDVMA.
The freedom and safety you enjoy today are built on the courage of those who served. Your community thrives because veterans chose duty over comfort. Families are stronger because someone came home determined to keep building. And companies like Go Pave Utah stand tall because they honor that legacy and live by those same values every day.
Today, you thank them. Tomorrow, you carry their legacy forward.
