Shurtleff salutes vets, says U.S. will win war on terror

SANDY — The U.S. military will be the ultimate victor in the war on terror, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Monday at a program honoring veterans.

"I just returned from the Middle East," Shurtleff, also a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, said at the Memorial Day program at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy. "You hear our enemy say they're going to win ultimately because they love death and Americans fear death. But American soldiers will win, not because they love death, but because they love freedom more. They love the liberties we enjoy, the prosperous and truly benevolent society these liberties provide."

Shurtleff, who formerly worked as a Navy JAG prosecutor, quoted Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, U.S. Gen. George S. Patton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Shurtleff talked about his support of Israel, which he described as "an island of democracy in the Middle East."

According to Shurtleff, Netanyahu supports the U.S. war on terror because it's helping keep Israel safe. "He said, 'Please tell all those back home in America, thank you for what you have been doing,' " Shurtleff said about Netanyahu.

Participation in the U.S. military is voluntary, Shurtleff said, and people who enlist don't necessarily think they're going to die, because they're better trained and armed than their adversaries. However, some do die. "May this be a day of rejoicing and gratitude to those who have given their all so that we might live in freedom."

For reservists and active military personnel, Memorial Day is a time to reflect on fellow soldiers who have died.

Utah National Guard Sgt. 1st Class M. Buck Taylor, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he will constantly think of the war dead throughout Memorial Day.

"It's tough," Taylor said. "There were a few instances where we shouldn't have come home and we were protected. And there were some kids we worked with who didn't make it home."

About 7,500 people serve in the Utah National Guard, with 6,000 in the Army National Guard and 1,500 in the Air National Guard. In the Guard, soldiers are expected to help their local communities in disasters and help their countries in foreign wars.

"It's always important to honor our veterans," said Utah National Guard Staff Sgt. Jan Rigby. "They are a reflection of our history. As a veteran myself, it's an honor to serve for these veterans."

Utah National Guard Brig. Gen. Scott Harrison, who has lived and worked in 30 foreign countries during his 34-year military career, said families also must be honored for making a sacrifice to the country. Harrison said four of his brothers live in the Salt Lake Valley, and "anything my wife needed, they were happy to do."

E-MAIL: lhancock@desnews.com

Twitter: laurahancock