It’s What Utah Soldiers Do

We braved the heat and went to a 4th of July parade that I did not know about in years past. Because we were technically out of the bounds of the parade, as various signs informed us, we found a shady spot.

Even though we were beyond the actual route, the floats kept floating, the bands kept playing, and the paraders even kept giving out goodies until the end of the block.

As we watched, a gentleman in broken English asked if we would consider signing his petition. He asked so carefully, with plenty of "if no, that is OK"s, that I thought it must be a controversial petition. In my mind, it was not.

He explained some of the horrors they are trying to stop as the parade presented us with a line of old World War II equipment, including tanks, trucks, support, and medical vehicles.

As I watched this procession, being overdubbed by the tyrannies that are happening, my mind remembered. I remembered hearing thoughts from Utah military personnel as we have had the honor to interact with them as media representatives.

From the National Guard, as they taught us to shoot in a simulation, to the Air Force, making sure we felt safe on the airplane before parachuting high above a St. George Air Show, to the Navy, describing personally to my son how difficult it is to land on an aircraft carrier, to the Army, explaining a tour of duty and the perils of an IED, to the Marines, explaining the "first in, last out" principle, they have all said or indicated the following sentiment: "Because anyone is suffering under the weight of tyranny, I am willing to fight for you and, yes, even die that you might live free."

I have heard it again and again in words and deeds from Utah military as well as many other wonderful installments, and this 4th of July, I tried to stand with you, if only in a signature.