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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The widow and parents of a Utah mayor killed in action while serving in Afghanistan were honored Wednesday during a special reception held in Washington, D.C.
“I’m so full of gratitude,” said Jennie Taylor, the widow of Maj. Brent Taylor. “The gratitude has softened our grief in ways I can’t describe with words.”
Taylor, 39, was on leave as mayor of North Ogden when he was killed in the line of duty last year while serving with Utah’s Army National Guard. He leaves behind the couple’s seven children.
During the reception at the Longworth House Office Building, U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, presented Jennie Taylor with a flag that was flying over the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 3, 2018, the day her husband died.
“People can take pride and can take courage from what you have done, what your family has done,” Bishop said.
Jennie Taylor said the event helped her family celebrate the life and legacy of her husband.
“To be able to say that our family has contributed to a very small part to the price of freedom is my greatest honor,” she said, after receiving the flag. “I’m a very proud Gold Star widow.”
Utah’s entire congressional delegation attended the reception and each shared remarks with Jennie Taylor and Maj. Taylor’s parents.
“We are all honored to have you here,” said Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah. “I hope you know from the bottom our hearts that the fortune is ours.”
“Today we salute both the major and his sweetheart, Jennie, for their sacrifice, for the depth of the commitment to one another and the depth of their sacrifice for the greatest nation on earth,” said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
Members of #Utah's congressional delegation gather to honor Mrs. Jennie Taylor and Maj. Brent Taylor at a reception in Washington, D.C. #Utpol@KSL5TV@KSLcom@kslnewsradio@DNewsPoliticspic.twitter.com/sVXYDJ9RJq
— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) February 6, 2019
Earlier in the day, Taylor and her in-laws toured the White House, the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol, where Rep. Bishop acted as their guide.
“We’re so proud of Brent and Jennie and the circumstances,” said Stephen Taylor, Brent’s father. “He loved this country, and he has no regrets about giving his life for his country.”
“Our son is one of those who has sacrificed now, and it just means so much and that flag means so much,” said Tamara Taylor, Brent’s mother.
Jennie Taylor’s visit to Washington also included being seated in the House gallery for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
“I feel today as if I am standing on the shoulders of giants,” Jennie Taylor said of the visit, adding that it felt like walking through the pages of a history book.
