From Deseret News archives:
Governor lauds fallen West Valley soldier
He attends 'very moving' service in Afghanistan
Lundell, 35, will be buried today at the Benjamin City Cemetery. The West Valley man was killed Nov. 25 in Afghanistan when he and other soldiers came under attack by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Lundell was one of more than 100 Utahns serving with the I Corps Artillery, which is helping to train the Afghan National Army. On Thursday, members of the unit and the governor remembered Lundell in "a very moving service," Huntsman's spokesman, Mike Mower said.
"It was a somber and fitting tribute in honor of someone who was well-respected and loved by his fellow soldiers," Mower said. The governor "expressed his gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Lt. Lundell."
Huntsman is scheduled to return to the United States today, after meeting with troops as well as government officials in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The trip included governors from New York, New Jersey and Oregon and was organized by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Capt. Micah Tebbs, commander of Alpha Company, 2-211th Aviation, called the governor's visit Tuesday to his unit in Iraq a "pleasant surprise" that meant a lot to his soldiers.
Tebbs said Huntsman posed with each soldier for photos in front of a helicopter. The unit presented the governor with a flag that soldiers flew on a mission the night before his visit, which concluded with a chat with about 15 soldiers at a table in a dining facility.
"The most important part of the governor's trip was spending time with Utah troops during the holiday season and thanking them for their service," Mower said. He said Huntsman met Friday with injured Utah troops being treated in Germany.
This is Huntsman's second trip to the Middle East this year. In March, he traveled to the region with a delegation of governors and members of Congress led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Because governors are the commanders in chief of many of the troops deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the Middle East, Huntsman has said they need to see for themselves what's happening in the war on terror.
About 440 Utah Air and Army National Guard members are currently serving in support of either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes Afghanistan, the Philippines and several other countries, according to a Guard spokesman.
Utah first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman will attend services for Lundell, Mower said.
Lundell leaves behind his wife, Jeanine, and four children, ages 3, 5, 8 and 10. The Scott Lundell Memorial Fund has been established to benefit the family. Donations to the trust fund can be made at any Mountain America Credit Union.
An online memorial in Lundell's honor has been set up at www.MeM.com and can be found there by typing his name into the search engine.
E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; sspeckman@desnews.com
Comments
- For Reid, Dodd, clout cuts both ways 2:09 p.m.
- 12 dead in Afghanistan violence 2:02 p.m.
- Homicide charge filed in child's death 1:58 p.m.
- Late credit card payments drop in Q3 1:36 p.m.
- Study says basketball refs biased 1:13 p.m.
- Sanford faces 37 ethics charges 1:03 p.m.
- Woman killed in fall identified 1:00 p.m.
- October sales gains lift hopes 12:58 p.m.
- Home and garden news and notes 12:58 p.m.
- Ungrateful teen in your house? 12:54 p.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
213 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
208 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
181 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
97
Utah's only Pottery Barn at Trolley Square, 600 S. 700 East, has...
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
Guess if Meyer says he's staying at Florida then he definitely is headed to...
ummm utah...dominating Defense???...when?...which game this year has utah...
Is there a liberal that doesn't want Palin to run? :-) BTW, I read. I know...
I totally agree with the author.
I wish I was there what a great win!
I bet these soccer haters never commented on badminton articles, 'cause they...
This game started out as a ho hum affair then got interesting in the 3rd and...
12:31 p.m. I wasn't refering to Earl's comment specifically. This isn't...
Wow, so you pick and choose what data you believe, then discount facts along...
This could be a sting.


You can be the first to comment on this story.