Clearfield honors fallen soldier


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Bob Lehmiller wasn't sure if people would care or even bother to show up. Just a few years ago, he wouldn't blame them.

"It used to be usually a day off," said Lehmiller, "Veterans Day is now a day of remembrance of our veterans and everything they do."

On Aug. 21, 2005, Lehmiller's 23-year-old son Michael was killed in Afghanistan. He had already served a tour of duty in Iraq when a roadside bomb took his life.

Today, a bronze bust of him was unveiled in Clearfield City Hall, and close to a hundred people where there to thank the family for their sacrifice.

Clearfield honors fallen soldier

"We have more better days than bad days as time goes by," said Lehmiller. "But days like today, where we honor Mike, they're good days. They're emotional, but they're good days."

After the ceremony, everyone lined up single file to say thank you to Sgt. Lehmiller's family. Seeing older veterans tremble while saluting brought tears to many eyes.

At the Clearfield American Legion building, another ceremony took place honoring all veterans. Lt. Col. Kurt Gallegos, an Air Force pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, who is also from Layton, spoke about remembering veterans.

Clearfield honors fallen soldier

"If you see a guy in uniform, you walk up to him, and you thank them for what they done for our country," said Gallegos.

Tim Dolan was also there. He's the father of Dan Dolan, a Roy man who died in Iraq in 2006. Dolan believes just stopping for a moment and saying thank you is what Veterans Day is all about.

"That's kind of what our mission is. It's to make sure no one ever forgets," said Dolan.

E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com

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