Reader comments
Veterans' remains ride on

18 comments   |   Read story

Lola | 2:25 p.m. May 22, 2009
There is nothing romantic or beautiful about war. Sometimes, even after sacrificing their families, body parts and eventually their life, many soldiers of the past went to their graves wondering if it was worth it or if anyone cared. We do.

To the many vets who have sacrificed so much, but who may have gained little, Thank you. This is especially for those who never made it home or for those; past and present who may wonder if anyone cares now. We do.

To the veterans of the Missing American Project, thank you for helping us to remember that there is a cost to war who's value can't be equated in monetary value. That all soldiers deserve a final resting place where they are honored their ultimate sacrifice. A humble thank you may not seem like a lot, but if you could feel the pride, gratitude and sincerity that goes with those words, you would know that I mean them. God Bless All Vets.
CP | 1:28 a.m. May 23, 2009
What an awesome story. God Bless you on your journey. What a priviledge to have you pass thru Utah on this journey to help these war veterans to finally be able to have the resting place they deserve. I commend the daughter of Callahan to make sure she kept her promise to her father.
Forgotten heros | 4:39 a.m. May 23, 2009
Our soldiers and heroes of war are ordinary people doing extraordinary things to save the lives of their comrades. Our fallen veterans deserve nothing less than the love and respect they have earned when they give up their lives and families for america and our freedoms.

Until now the news media has not been very forthcoming of this search for fallen veterans being implemented across the country.

The city government of SLC though is one that does not respect or honor our veterans in their cemetery. Salt Lake is a blight to our veterans and I hope they are fully shamed by their cowardice and never allowed to participate in honoring or heros. I say this because they let the graves fall in disrepair and with greedy intent offer no respect. It should be an honor for any city to care and tend the graves of veterans and those killed in wars, but SLC expects payment for services and has no pride in their country or our soldiers.
Comments continue below
Chris | 6:50 a.m. May 23, 2009
Thank you, and may God go with you, and with them.
CITIZEN | 7:24 a.m. May 23, 2009
The total debt that we all owe our combat veterans can never be fully repaid because of the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.War is hell and freedom is the most expensive thing we will ever purchase!!THE U.S.A. IS STILL THE BEST!!!
Anonymous | 7:34 a.m. May 23, 2009
While changing the water in the field I heard the hum of motorcycles and looked up to see the flashing lights and waving flags. Unaware of the details, I knew this was something reverent and deserving of my teary eyed respect,with an overwhelming desire to stand at attention and salute, the feelings still linger in my heart today.
The feelings were intensified this morning while reading this article. In a world of uncertainty and disrespect, this sojourn is remarkable , long overdue and needs to be repeated, at least in our minds, for the countless forgotten and unrecognized heroes of America, that defend our soil, rescue our abandoned children and stand tall for helping mankind. Thank you all that have been and will be part of this historic journey.
This journey, touching the heart of the uninformed with feelings of endearment evidence the ever present closeness of the heavens and earth.
Peace will be the reward for this monumental journey. Clyde Larsen
FLORIDA VETERAN | 7:54 a.m. May 23, 2009
I could not read this without crying. I am a veteran myself, and I have children who would walk barefoot across burning coals to get me to my grave next to my beloved Joette, their mother. I want to thank all the many magnificent people who are participating in this honorable endeavor for us Veterans. I wish you could make part of your journey through Florida so that I, too, could take part in this magnificent tribute, which is in part a salute to all veterans, past, present, and future, living, or dead and buried. All we ask for is to be remembered . . . .
Don | 9:24 a.m. May 23, 2009
In 1970 when I returned to the U.S. to be discharged at Travis A.F.B from a year in Thailand and Vietnam,we were told to ware civilian clothes to the San Francisco airport because of war protestors spitting and throwing blood at Vets. I read on a brochure attached to my disharge papers (dd 214) "waring the military uniform of the U.S. was the highest form of patriotism" I know its true now.
Vietnam Vet | 9:38 a.m. May 23, 2009
A fitting story to remind us all what Memorial Day is really for.
awh | 10:07 a.m. May 23, 2009
God bless all the brave men and women who have served in the US military. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice while others were wounded for life. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.
Anonymous | 10:47 a.m. May 23, 2009
Don | 9:24 a.m Those people who dodged the draft and called us names became conservative patriots the day after their generation's war end. This weekend they will be driving their Ford F350 trucks will faded torn flags on their antennas pulling their boats to Lake Powell were they will swill cold beverages and wolf down ribs an the subject of wars and sacrifice won't com up. Their kids are not sacrificing.
Let us have our day | 1:17 p.m. May 23, 2009
I have 2 combat tours with the US Army Special Forces under my belt and can state quite truthfully, most people are oblivious to the sacrifice of our veterans.

I was one of those "low income kids going nowhere" who joined the Army and did this country's dirty work. I attended university on the GI bill, earned two college degrees, and now practice in the medical field. Am I ever a square peg in a round hole!

Most young people in my neighborhood attend church missions or college and would never fathom entering military service. It's what "other people do".

Yes, just like the bathroom cleaners, we veterans do the country's dirty work so you won't have to. We're not perfect, but we pay the heavy price, sometimes with our lives.

We don't ask for society's love and admiration, but let those who have paid the ultimate price have their day and for at least one minute, remember and respect their sacrifice.

US Army Veteran
Davis County, Utah
Air Force infantry | 3:42 p.m. May 23, 2009
When you spend a year in the jungles of Thailand and Vietnam guarding airplanes,with rocket attacks and sappers(terrorist) trying to blow you up,going on a church mission or college is easy, plus my mother had no clue where I realy was.

Anonymous | 5:15 p.m. May 23, 2009
Great story. That was probably the worst and most confusing lead paragraph I have ever read though...
Thank you!! | 9:17 p.m. May 23, 2009
My thanks and gratitude go out to you; who have been, are, and will serve our nation, here or abroad. As a daughter of a veteran, I have the upmost respect and greatest appreciation for YOU!
M Shimmin | 4:10 p.m. May 26, 2009
It was an incredible Honor and a privilege to have been a part of this escort. Most of us from Utah were part of the escort Wendover NV to Grand Junction CO. Along the way we encountered very wet weather down around the Price UT area and just about all the rest of the way to Green River UT where the escort was due for one of the overnight stops. We left the next day(Saturday) to continue on to Grand Junction we still had several spots of the continual rain but I can honestly say it never seemed to dampen anyones spirit because we were getting to do something good for a few that did something great! When we would be at stopping points people were always coming up to those of us riding and would usually end up walking away misty eyed when done hearing what was being done!
SLC gal | 7:08 a.m. May 27, 2009
What a wonderful reminder of the men and women who have and still every day give nothing short of their lives to defending our freedoms. Thank you to those of you who have not let our colors run!!!
TN JEFF | 8:50 p.m. June 6, 2009
I was not one of the great but I appreciate every step they took for my freedom. God Bless our VET'S and Their Families.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Honors at Arlington bikers from California, along with those from POW/MIA Organization of Utah, escort veterans' remains east of Wendover.

Advertisement
previousnext

Latest comments

STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...

The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.

It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...

It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...

Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...

I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...

Water wars in Snake Valley

The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...

It looks to me like special treatment.

Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...

I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...

Advertisements
Advertisement