MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT SAL GIUNTA TO SPEAK AT FARM BUREAU’S 14TH ANNUAL SALUTE TO IDAHO VETERANS
Medal of Honor recipient and former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore “Sal” Giunta will speak at the 14th Annual Farm Bureau Salute to Idaho Veterans event on Friday, November 6.
Giunta served two combat tours in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, completing a total of 27 months of deployment. On October 25, 2007, his patrol was ambushed by a heavily armed and well-coordinated insurgent force in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley.
Under intense enemy fire, Giunta rescued his wounded squad leader, fought his way toward fellow soldiers who had become separated from the unit, and confronted two insurgents carrying away a wounded American soldier. Giunta recovered his fellow soldier and provided medical aid while his squad established security around them.
For his extraordinary courage and selfless leadership, Giunta received the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on November 16, 2010. He became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the first living service member to receive the nation’s highest military decoration for valor since the Vietnam War.
Giunta later entrusted his Medal of Honor to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, emphasizing that the medal belonged not to him alone, but to all those who served alongside him. His other military decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He retired from the Army in 2011 and is the author of Living with Honor.
Giunta’s story reflects extraordinary courage under fire as well as humility, service and an enduring commitment to honoring the sacrifices of his fellow soldiers.
Veterans, active-duty service members and their families are invited to attend this free event. In addition to Giunta’s keynote address, the Salute to Idaho Veterans will include a traditional flag ceremony, a musical tribute featuring military branch hymns performed by the Idaho Falls Brass Quintet, a complimentary luncheon, a veteran slideshow, free professional portraits, and the presentation of a commemorative challenge coin to all veterans and Armed Forces personnel in attendance.
Now in its 14th year, the Salute continues Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho’s tradition of honoring the service and sacrifice of Idaho’s veterans.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta to this year’s Salute to Idaho Veterans,” said Todd Argall, CEO of Farm Bureau Insurance. “His courage in battle, his humility, and his unwavering commitment to those who served beside him embody the very best of military service. We hope this event offers veterans and their families a meaningful opportunity to come together and feel the gratitude and respect our community holds for them.”
The Salute will be held at Farm Bureau’s Pocatello campus, located at 275 Tierra Vista Drive. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. with a meet and greet and concludes at 1 p.m. with complimentary portraits by professional photographer Deloy Stuart.
