Reservists thanked for war service

The thanks of grateful Utahns, a ceremony honoring the fallen, and pledges to continue the fight against terror marked a meeting welcoming home Army Reservists who were mobilized for national defense.

Many served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Germany.

A large auditorium at the University of Utah's Libby Gardner Hall was filled Sunday with uniformed men and women, their families and dignitaries. The speakers thanked the service members and families.

Soldiers recognized serve with these Reserve units:

• Based in Salt Lake City, the 650th Regional support Group; 307th Quartermaster Battalion; 395th Finance Battalion; 478th Personnel Support Battalion; 328th Combat Support Hospital; Headquarters Company, 96th Regional Readiness Command; 50th Military History Detachment.

• Based in Ogden, the 146th Transportation Company and the 872nd Maintenance Company.

• Based in Provo, the 786th Quartermaster Company.

Honoring three who could not be be there because they lost their lives, soldiers placed on the stage a standing rifle topped by a helmet with boots at the base. The fallen soldiers were Maj. Marta Maltby, Brigham City, a nurse who died Jan. 31 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, apparently of natural causes; Spc. Brian Russell Stewart, 25, who died in 2004 because of a motorcycle accident three months after returning to Utah from Iraq, and who was still on active duty; and Sgt. David Goldberg, 20, Layton, who died of a gunshot wound while in Iraq in 2003.

Speaking of the work of the Hospital unit in Landstuhl and that of other military medical experts, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, noted, "It's no wonder service members now have a higher chance of survival than at any other time in the history of combat."

He added that the military has had great support from Utahns, "and I thank God for Utah."

America is engaged in a "worldwide, bitter conflict," Hatch said. "This is a conflict that will rage for years to come."

Asking if Americans have the "will to see this through," he answered by noting the service of the state's military men and women is important. "We still have the resolve" needed, he said.

He thanked the soldiers "for preserving freedom and fighting against enemies — really, really rotten enemies."