Utah
Lawmakers honor more than 20 fallen soldiers from Utah in the past year
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SALT LAKE CITY — The Home and Senate counseled the greater than 20 Utah service members who misplaced their lives in the course of the previous yr, and honored their relations in every of the chambers Friday.
Not less than 65 surviving relations stuffed the Home ground, snaking between lawmakers’ desks to make sufficient room. Honoring fallen troopers is an annual custom for the Legislature, however Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, identified that the variety of fallen troopers is unusually excessive this yr.
“They’re standing in locations they have not earlier than as a result of we’ve greater than we have had earlier than,” he mentioned whereas introducing the relations. Wilcox reiterated that American freedom comes at a value, and “that value is usually paid by younger women and men.”
“We would like you to know at this time that we acknowledge that it’s your sacrifice that enables us to be free,” he mentioned. “We respect your service, and naturally, the sacrifice of your loved ones on our behalf.”
Home Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, mentioned the Legislature is not constitutionally obligated to honor fallen troopers, however it’s “one of the crucial necessary issues that I feel we do every year.”
Earlier than observing a second of silence, the Home clerk learn a quotation offered to every of the households, commending every of the troopers as examples of devoted service members “who selflessly put themselves in hurt’s manner” for the higher good of Utah.
After the households left the Home ground, Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, mentioned he questioned why the variety of fallen troopers was so excessive this yr, when America shouldn’t be engaged in energetic fight frequently.
“So I requested the sponsor on the time, and he mentioned they’re nearly all suicides,” Eliason mentioned. He mentioned the U.S. misplaced twice as many Vietnam Struggle veterans to suicide after the conflict than have been killed in fight, a sobering reminder of the significance of psychological well being take care of veterans.
Sen. John Johnson, R-North Ogden, welcomed the households to the Senate ground, acknowledging that phrases can solely achieve this a lot for individuals who have misplaced family members.
“It is actually exhausting to say something that will be completely significant to those folks,” Johnson mentioned.
He spoke of the lasting energy of President Abraham Lincoln’s handle on the cemetery at Gettysburg.
“Since that second, since Gettysburg, few different such addresses have change into a part of our nationwide heritage,” Johnson continued. “Not due to the inadequacy of the audio system, however due to the inadequacy of phrases.”
Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, echoed Johnson’s sentiment.
“You are proper, Sen. Johnson, phrases are inadequate,” he mentioned. “We won’t specific our gratitude sufficient for the sacrifice of not solely those that have handed, however for the relations who’re right here. We would like you to know we love you.”
These are the names of the fallen troopers honored within the Utah Legislature Friday:
- Military Cpt. Curtis Baker
- Utah Nationwide Guard Employees Sgt. Clemente Bellah
- Military Spc. Rylee Bott
- Military Spc. Nolton Bowsley
- Utah Nationwide Guard Employees Sgt. Charles Brown
- Utah Air Nationwide Guard Employees Sgt. Michael Carpenter
- Navy Midshipman 1st Class Taylor Connors
- Utah Nationwide Guard Employees Sgt. John Cooper III
- Marine Corps Cpl. Trenton Chase Franson
- Utah Nationwide Guard Sgt. Erik Hicken
- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Natasha Huffman
- Utah Air Nationwide Guard Tech. Sgt. Burton Juengel
- Air Power Tech. Sgt. Cody Kassebaum
- Marine Corps Pfc. Caelan Lewis
- Utah Nationwide Guard Sgt. 1st Class Keith Liebert
- Navy Lt. Jodi McEvoy
- Utah Nationwide Guard Grasp Sgt. Drew Measels
- Military Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Preston
- Utah Nationwide Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jared Puffer
- Utah Nationwide Guard Employees Sgt. Kyle Walker
- Utah Nationwide Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Wolverton
- Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Wyatt