The Salt Lake City chapter of the Travis Manion Foundation is honoring Veterans Day with two community events designed to celebrate service and build connection: a veterans’ billiards tournament in Ogden and a community summit on Nov. 15 in Sandy.

The pool tournament, which attracted more than 300 people last year, will include youth programming and a local service project, said chapter leader Stephany Pina. Last year, youth wrote more than 200 notes to veterans which were distributed locally.

Just days later, the community summit will bring together veterans, families of the fallen, youth and community members to make blankets for veterans. It will be held at 9 a.m., Nov. 15 at the Gail Miller Conference Center on SLCC’s Miller Campus, 9750 S. 300 West. Register for the free event through the Travis Manion Foundation website.

“Ninety percent of the people who come to the summit have never really engaged too much with TMF,” she said. “We talk about our projects, how we serve the community and how there’s a place for every single person who shows up.”

Founded to honor 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed in Iraq in 2007, TMF challenges individuals to lead with character and serve others. The organization supports veterans, families of the fallen and youth through events and programs rooted in leadership, resilience and remembrance. 

“We honor all military members — those who died in the line of duty, and those who passed away after service — because their service throughout their life is important,” she said.

While TMF is a national nonprofit with more than 780,000 veterans and survivors, 750,000 youth participants and 300,000 Spartan or consistent volunteers, chapters tailor their efforts for local needs. In Salt Lake, a five-member board organizes events with the help of 20 consistent volunteers, though some events draw nearly 100 community members. 

Recently, the chapter held their fourth annual 9/11 Heroes 5K Run in South Jordan, with 76 runners and walkers participating. Salt Lake’s chapter of Team Red, White & Blue, a national nonprofit connecting veterans through physical and social activities in the community, served as the color guard.

“We remember not just military members, but also first responders and victims of 9/11,” she said.

This year, they also held a one-mile walk/run in honor of a local service member Sean Joseph Pulley, who died while stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station — an event which drew additional community support.

The top male 5K race winner was Jordan Rolf at 19:47 and the top female was Abigail Olsen with 25:11. Top 5K ruck male was Edwin Ramirez in 26:35, followed by top female runner Angela Barnett in 30:46.

That 5K supports initiatives such as providing backpacks and supplies to students at Horizonte School. TMF also provides “Character Does Matter” program at the school, as well as Apogee School in South Jordan. Veterans and families of the fallen volunteer to teach character and leadership skills.

“We tell kids it can be as small as opening a door or being kind,” she said. 

The Foundation’s programming centers around Travis Manion’s words: “If not me, then who…”  For Pina, who lost her husband while he was serving in 2015, that message turned grief into purpose.

“Travis Manion Foundation empowers you to do something with all that love you have for someone you lost. There’s nothing more healing than service,” she said.

That healing comes from connection, Pina said. 

“When they lose someone to service, they also lose a community. Travis Manion Foundation helps rebuild that. You feel connected again,” she said. 

Pina joined one of the Foundation’s expeditions for families of the fallen traveling to Alaska to help build cabins for children who have lost a military parent.

“I was able to help others without worrying, ‘Can I afford this?’” she said.

The chapter also supports Wreaths Across America. On Dec. 15 in Riverton, volunteers will place more than 500 wreaths on veterans’ graves; they mark graves beforehand and clean up afterward.

“We’d love more volunteers to help us with this service to honor them and we’d love to help lay wreaths at other cemeteries too,” she said.

On Memorial Day weekend, the chapter also visits Camp Williams’ cemetery, saying the names of the fallen and reflecting on their service.

To volunteer, join or learn more, email: [email protected].