Army and Air Guard units meet for Governor’s Day
The 49th Annual Governor’s Day celebration was held at Camp Williams on Sept.14.
Army and Air Guard units from around the state gathered for the first time since the Sept. 11 attacks to honor the governor and celebrate freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Layne Morris, 19th Group Special Forces Utah Army National Guard, said Governor’s Day won’t be any different from the past 19 he has attended.
“However, there will be a different mood due to the attacks last year,” he said.
Gov. Michael Leavitt, keynote speaker, said he was proud to be at Camp Williams to celebrate the service of Utah guardsmen in Afghanistan.
“There has never been a time in my service of governor that I have been more proud of our guardsmen,” he said. “One year ago, we were reminded about our value we place on life, freedom and liberty.”
Leavitt told the story when Benjamin Franklin declared the United States a rising sun after signing the Declaration of Independence. After the attacks last year, the nation questioned whether the sun is now setting, he said.
“We are now more than ever a rising sun,” Leavitt said. “Our proudest moments are ahead of us. May God continue to bless this nation.”
The nation will look forward in the face of danger, he said.
Morris was honored at Governor’s Day for doing just that. He received the Bronze Star for his heroism in Khowst, Afghanistan.
The mission of the 19th Special Forces was to deny Al Qaeda and the Talliban use of operations areas. One neither knew when things were going to explode nor how bad it was going to get, Morris said.
During a battle with Al Qaeda forces, Morris was injured when shrapnel from a grenade 10 feet away from him hit his eye. He continued fighting until the mission was complete.
Morris said he has mixed emotions about being home.
“We have a pretty tight team,” he said. “When your team is in harm’s way, it’s hard to be away from the team and not pulling your weight.”
Leavitt said this is a year of more gratitude for the Guard’s service and not just because of Sept. 11. The Utah Guard set a new and higher standing for world security during the 2002 Winter Olympics, he said.
Units and guardsmen who had been outstanding throughout the year received awards.
The day was filled with activities for guardsmen and their families, including a KC-135 Stratotanker flyover from the 151st Air Refueling Wing in Salt Lake City.
More than 2,600 troops have been deployed to classified locations. Their activation kept some units from attending the celebration.
“Our hearts beat together,” Leavitt said.
Morris said, “It’s an honor to serve for [my] country, and we all defend our country in whatever we are doing. And I wouldn’t even trade my eye for what I have today.”
-bbnichols@cc.usu.edu