Farm Bureau Honors Idaho Veterans in Pocatello
Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta spoke at the 14th annual event, which drew hundreds of veterans and their families.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Awards
Farm Bureau Insurance Co. of Idaho hosted its 14th Annual Farm Bureau Salute to Idaho Veterans on November 6 at its Pocatello headquarters, a standing-room-only event honoring U.S. military veterans. The half-day program included a flag ceremony, a guest speaker, veteran photos, and a commemorative coin.
Why it matters
Farm Bureau says many farmers and ranchers are veterans, and it places high value on honoring that service. The event is scheduled before Veterans Day so it does not conflict with veterans' organization events on that date.
Idaho's 3,662 veteran agricultural producers made up about 8% of the state's 43,333 producers in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, versus 15% of U.S. farms with at least one farmer who served. The event attendance was reported only as 'hundreds,' so exact turnout is unconfirmed.
The players
Farm Bureau Insurance Co. of Idaho
The insurer hosts the annual salute and its employees work with local veterans groups to organize it.
Salvatore Giunta
Giunta is a Medal of Honor recipient who received the award for his actions in Afghanistan in 2007 and was the event's guest speaker.
The details
The half-day event included a flag ceremony, a guest speaker, a free group photo, individual veteran photos, and a commemorative coin. Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta, the first living recipient of the medal for service in Iraq or Afghanistan, was the guest speaker. Three winners of the statewide Veterans Day essay contest also read their entries.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: The 14th Annual Farm Bureau Salute to Idaho Veterans is held in Pocatello.
2007: Giunta performs the actions in Afghanistan that earned the Medal of Honor.
November 11, 2026: Veterans Day follows the salute event.
Season Trajectory
Giunta's 2007 Afghanistan actions earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first living recipient for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Pocatello salute places a living recipient of that award before Idaho's veteran community.
Veterans in the Pocatello area and across Idaho can attend the annual event, which is held before Veterans Day. The commemorative coin and free photos are offered to attending veterans at no cost.
The takeaway
Recognition events held before Veterans Day give veterans a dedicated occasion to be honored without overlapping their own organizations' observances. Farm Bureau's annual salute shows how local employers can help organize that recognition.
Further reading
Explore more Lifestyle awards coverage for recognition events and honors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Press.
