I realize that the loss of any soldier is a tragedy, but Major Taylor's death hits close to home for me as he was mayor of a town where my sister lives, just a few miles from where I live. I also have a brother-in-law who serves in the National Guard with him and has served several tours in Afghanistan, a son-in-law who served several tours in Afghanistan and Yemen with the Marines, and a brother who retired a few years ago after a career as an Air Force Pilot, with stints in the Middle East.

We hear the word hero thrown around so lightly, and see so much division in our country, but I hope we never lose sight of the men and women, and their families who pay the ultimate price. They are the strength of this great nation.

I know these words of Lincoln were given in another conflict, but they seem so fitting to my heart today:

"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

"Brent Taylor, North Ogden mayor and a major in Utah's Army National Guard, was "the personification of love of God, family and country," Gov. Gary Herbert said Sunday, one day after news spread of Taylor's killing during an insider attack in Afghanistan.

"This is a sad day for Utah, for America," Herbert said at Sunday's news conference.

Taylor's remains are expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday at 9:45 p.m., said Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton. Funeral arrangements are still being made.

Taylor's service was "a testament to the character of this man and motivation to preserve the freedom you and I enjoy as Americans," Burton said, calling Taylor "one of our finest soldiers."

Taylor, 39, took an unprecedented one-year leave of absence from his post as mayor for his deployment to Afghanistan in January. But months away from his return, he was killed during an "apparent insider attack" Saturday in Kabul, Burton said.

He leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and seven children ranging in age from 13 years to 11 months."

I invite you to read the article, and especially to look at the picture of his beautiful family, and offer up a prayer for them.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46420472/her...ly-country

Thank you for sharing this very sad story, Christine. Heart-wrenching. The devastating story was carried by The Today Show this morning.

When we read or hear about stories like this, we need to reevaluate what our society is holding up as heroes today. And, we also need to think more about the men and women who serve in our various National Guard units. Living just a few miles from Joint Base Andrews, I have Air Force Guards flying over my house each weekend and during the summer months' TDYs -- we call them Weekend Warriors.

I think they deserve extra respect because they include military service to the nation while holding down jobs in the civilian sector. As this piece indicates, they also find time to continue their educations. This man was working on his PhD. Such a sad ending to what was a full and meaningful life.

This is a very sad story. Maj. Taylor seems like he was a wonderful person. My condolences to his friends and family if they happen upon this thread. It makes one grateful that there are people like him choosing to serve in our (U.S.) military. Don't forget that this upcoming Sunday is Veteran's Day!

Just a few minutes ago at our office (my husband is a dentist) we were seeing a new emergency patient - filling in for another dentist who is out of town. While visiting, this man said he was raised in the neighboring town next to where Major Taylor and his family live, about 30 miles from here. I said how heartbreaking Major Taylor's death was, and his eyes filled with tears as he said he was one of his best friends - they were neighbors and served together in their church congregation. He commented that the news is saying what a remarkable man he was. But then he said, "But all they are saying is not really the full story - no matter how good they say Brent was, he was much, muc, much better. An amazing husband, an amazing father, an amazing neighbor, an amazing friend."

In today's divisive world, we need more Major Taylors.

(11-08-2018 05:05 PM)Christine Wrote:  Just a few minutes ago at our office (my husband is a dentist) we were seeing a new emergency patient - filling in for another dentist who is out of town. While visiting, this man said he was raised in the neighboring town next to where Major Taylor and his family live, about 30 miles from here. I said how heartbreaking Major Taylor's death was, and his eyes filled with tears as he said he was one of his best friends - they were neighbors and served together in their church congregation. He commented that the news is saying what a remarkable man he was. But then he said, "But all they are saying is not really the full story - no matter how good they say Brent was, he was much, muc, much better. An amazing husband, an amazing father, an amazing neighbor, an amazing friend."

In today's divisive world, we need more Major Taylors.

AMEN - AND A LOT MORE OF THEM...