July 22, 2000

Pioneer day has been celebrated on July 24th in Utah for more than 150- years, ever since the Mormon pioneers first arrived to the Salt Lake Valley.

But today, it was some modern-day pioneers who were honored. News Specialist Sam Penrod has the story, from This is the Place Heritage Park.

Three years ago today, the Mormon Trail Wagon Train arrived to Salt Lake City, after three months on the trail, covering more than 1,000 miles.

They traveled in covered wagons, pulling handcarts and on foot. Fifty- thousand people gathered to welcome the modern day pioneers to the This is the Place Monument.

And today, a reunion of sorts as those who took part in the re-creation of the original pioneers' journey, gathered where they finished their trip.

It was a time to remember the good times they had.

"THE SPECTACULAR SUNRISE IN NORTH PLATTE."

"THE BATHING AND LAUNDRY SERVICES OF THE ARMY RESERVES."

Tom & Sandy Van Leeuwen/Wagon Train Participants: "THE MONUMENT COMMERATING THE PLACEMENT OF THE ODOMETER BUILT BY WILLIAM CLAYTON AND APPLETON HARMON."

The mayor declared today Mormon Trail Wagon Train Remembrance Day, as a new monument was unveiled honoring their journey three years ago, in honor of the original 70,000 pioneers who made the trek to Utah from the Midwest.

Earl Gilmore/Wagon Train Participant: "WE BECAME CONNECTED TO THE PIONEERS OF 150 YEARS AGO AS WE TOOK OUR FAITH AND WALKED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS, THEY CAME ALIVE IN OUR LIVES."

The new monument is a giant rock of granite, taken from the same quarry where the pioneers gathered the rock that was used to build the Salt Lake Temple.

"AS THIS MONUMENT STANDS TO REMIND PEOPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 1997 THEY WILL LOOK AT IT AND THEY'LL REMEMBER THE PIONEERS."