'Formed on an idea': Gov. Cox honors those who made 'ultimate sacrifice' to defend America

Members of the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band salute during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol Monday.

Members of the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band salute during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol Monday. (Ryan Sun, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — As the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is often celebrated as a chance to get outside, recreate and barbecue with family and friends, maybe even get a great deal on a mattress or new suit.

But that's not why we celebrate in the first place, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reminded a crowd of several hundred who gathered at the Capitol to commemorate Monday morning.

"We get to celebrate the beginning of summer, and I think that's what most Americans are doing today," Cox said. "And I don't think that's why this holiday was made a holiday, so I'm grateful to all of you who have taken time out of your not-so-busy schedules to do something busy — to do the work of remembering. Because remembering does take work. Patriotism takes work. There is a responsibility that comes with being an American.

"And I worry that far too many of us are forgetting the work of being an American."

On Memorial Day, it's especially important to remember those who gave their lives defending the country and the ideals it was founded upon, the governor said. Patriotism isn't just about loving a country because of its prosperity, he said, it's about the unique founding of the United States.

"The reason we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world is because we were the first and only nation that was formed on an idea," Cox said. "It wasn't just about historic boundaries ... it was not that at all. It was that we were fighting for an idea. And that idea, it was a profound idea, it was a radical idea: this idea that all of us are created equal."

"And those rights do not come from government," he continued. "We're born with those rights from on high. ... And that idea, just that idea, changed the course of human history. And here's the thing, we didn't just believe that Americans were born with those freedoms, we believe that all humankind — Black, white, brown, green, red, purple — all of us were born with these rights."

That idea remains a threat to dictators around the world, which is why "we need really brave men and women to protect that," he said.

The United States flag is seen above retired United States Marine Corps Sgt. Randy Beal, during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday.
The United States flag is seen above retired United States Marine Corps Sgt. Randy Beal, during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday. (Photo: Ryan Sun, Deseret News)

Utah Rep. Blake Moore also spoke of America's role in cultivating global stability, and those who fought and died to help defend it. That was evidenced, he said, by a recent trip he took with his father to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.

After dinner during an overnight cruise, Moore said, "I sat next to him and he was looking out across the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen in my life. And he looked at me and he said, 'I can't believe I'm here.'"

Although his father didn't fight in the Vietnam War, he was a member of the National Guard at the time.

"What was impressed upon me was what our nation has accomplished over 100 years. My dad can freely go to Vietnam, a place he never thought he would visit," Moore said. "America promotes peace and prosperity, we always have. We use our military strength to do it and people have died to protect that."

The congressman also spoke of the toll that military service can take on family members and service members themselves, pointing out that 17 military members, military family members or veterans die by suicide every day.

"What we can do as civilians is to know, to understand and to interact," Moore said, urging people to be aware of the warning signs of suicide and reach out to service members or their families who may be struggling.

Cox paid tribute to some of the Utahns who have been killed recently while serving in Afghanistan, including Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler and Utah National Guard Maj. Brent Taylor.

"I beg all of us to remember what this is all about, so that we can stop fighting about the stupid stuff that doesn't matter, and start remembering and caring and fighting for the stuff that really does matter," the governor said. "And I submit to you that nothing, nothing on earth matters more than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

"It is ours," Cox said of the nation, and the power given to elected leaders to govern it. "It is not theirs. It is not mine. It is ours. ... And I am so eternally grateful for that radical idea, and for the people who defend it and have made us a nation. May God bless each of you as you remember, and may God bless those who have given the ultimate measure of sacrifice."

A tattoo of retired United States Marine Corps Cpl. Joann Haines is seen during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol Monday.
A tattoo of retired United States Marine Corps Cpl. Joann Haines is seen during a Memorial Day commemorative event at the Capitol Monday. (Photo: Ryan Sun, Deseret News)

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Crisis Hotlines

  • Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
  • SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
  • Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386

Online resources

Warning signs of suicide

  • Talking about wanting to die
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Displaying extreme mood swings

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.

Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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Bridger Beal-Cvetko covers Utah politics, Salt Lake County communities and breaking news for KSL.com. He is a graduate of Utah Valley University.

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