Latest news with #UtahNationalGuard
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Flag honoring Utah man killed in action is getting repaired, replaced
A giant U.S. flag flown in North Ogden yearly is undergoing some major changes after it was damaged by weather The flag named 'The Major' is one of Utah's most recognizable flags due to who it's honoring and how big it is. 'There is no kitchen table or sewing table big enough,' said Jennie Taylor, the wife of the late Maj. Brent Taylor. 'Every single one of those 50 stars is 5 feet tall.' Brent Taylor was a member of the Utah National Guard shot and killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 3, 2018, by a rogue member of the Afghan military. Every year, the flag honoring Brent Taylor is hung in the Coldwater Canyon. It is also meant to pay tribute to other U.S. military veterans. Last November, it sustained heavy damage from wind and rain. 'When this particular flag, The Major, took a beating last November, I almost felt like it was symbolic of my husband and my life and me,' Jennie Taylor said. Jennie Taylor said she nearly retired the flag after rain, snow and wind tore it up. 'Widowhood is not super easy, for those who are asking,' she said. But Jennie Taylor felt inspired to give The Major new life. The flag will be on display at different events across Utah. 'It flies strong and proud and true. And it takes a beating here and there, and it needs repairs along the way … I think that's kind of how we sometimes feel as American people,' she said. 'We're strong and proud and true to our values, and sometimes we get beaten up, and sometimes we need a break.' When The Major was not flying, it was placed in a black case signed by every serviceman and woman who had seen it in person. Their notes are a reminder of their bravery and commitment. For Jennie Taylor, those signatures help her not to give up the tradition. 'New life rising like the phoenix from the ashes. We need a new set of Sharpies, and we need to find new service members and veterans to sign that box,' Jennie Taylor said. Colonial Flag workers are creating a new flag to replace The Major's duty to fly over Coldwater Canyon during Memorial Day. 'We have to cram a lot of fabric onto that machine and maneuver,' said Jacob Swenson of Colonial Flag. 'Did we get the math right on this? Do we get it all calculated?' The Major Brent Taylor Foundation is accepting name ideas for the new flag on the foundation's website.
Axios
08-05-2025
- General
- Axios
How Vietnam's refugees made their way to Utah
Fifty years ago this week, refugees from Vietnam began to arrive in Utah after the fall of Saigon. This is Old News, our weekly relocation to Utah's past. The big picture: After nearly two decades of conflict, the collapse of South Vietnam happened at a speed that took most Americans by surprise. In the final two days of April 1975, more than 7,000 American civilians and imperiled Vietnamese citizens were flown by helicopter out of Saigon — now officially called Ho Chi Minh City — as North Vietnamese troops seized control. By the numbers: A week before that, the first wave of about 130,000 refugees had begun to flee Vietnam, most of them to Guam. They joined about 2,600 orphaned children who were taken there earlier that month. As refugees started to arrive, the U.S. military estimated space for only about 13,000 refugees on the island territory. What they said: Then-president Gerald Ford told Americans to prepare for a massive influx of refugees being transported from tent cities in Guam to U.S. military bases — and sought funds as members in Congress increasingly fielded "anti-refugee" calls and letters from constituents. "It makes me damn mad. It just burns me up, these great humanitarians," Ford said mockingly of the reluctant lawmakers. "Now they just turn their backs." How it worked: By May 8, the Utah National Guard was preparing resettlement camps for up to 1,000 refugees — though that plan was soon scrapped in favor of seeking individual sponsors to support the newcomers for at least two years. Yes, but: By July, about 20,000 refugees still languished in Camp Pendleton, California, waiting for sponsors as representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholic Charities in Salt Lake tried to drum up volunteers. Zoom in: 17 refugees — some of them children separated from their parents — were among the first arrivals in Utah. A West Valley City family with ties to Vietnam acted as their sponsor, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Neighbors helped provide beds as the group made frantic phone calls trying to find other loved ones who had made their way to the United States. The bottom line: From 1975 to 2000 some 3 million refugees fled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Utah National Guard is on a mission to find pieces to an ‘interesting puzzle'; 51-acre area key
The Utah National Guard is preparing to conduct a sweep of a 51-acre mountainous area in Utah County, southwest of Camp Williams, to locate and remove possible World War-era munitions, according to officials. The operation aims to ensure the safety of Eagle Mountain residents and outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the area, Fox 13 reports. Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber with the Utah National Guard explained that the site, historically used for military training during World War I and World War II, may contain munitions debris dating back a century. 'This was a great place to conduct military training,' Kroeber said. 'A lot of army units came through this area to prepare for World War I and World War II.' Read More: With toilet paper shortage looming in US, Japanese alternatives gaining popularity The initiative follows previous efforts, including a visual sweep in 2017 and an instrument-aided reconnaissance in 2019, led by Colton Berube, the Utah National Guard's cleanup project manager. Berube noted the area's transformation, stating, 'You look around — none of this housing was here. It was just a big open development.' With new neighborhoods now bordering the site, ensuring its safety has become a priority. Read More: Donald Trump warns secondary sanctions on countries buying Iran's oil, petrochemicals Eagle Mountain city spokesperson Tyler Maffitt highlighted the historical significance of the area, saying, 'That we have such incredible military history right here where we're standing — I think is such an interesting piece of the puzzle.' Maffitt, who hikes the trails regularly, emphasized the community's reliance on the area for recreation. Officials are urging the public to follow the '3 Rs' protocol if they encounter potential munitions: recognize items that appear intact, retreat from the area, and report findings to local authorities. The National Guard's sweep aims to mitigate risks and preserve the area's safety for future use.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Deseret News archives: Pancho Villa invaded the U.S. but suffered defeat in 1916
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On March 9, 1916, more than 400 Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans. It is one of the few times the United States suffered an attack on its home soil. Ah Pancho Villa. Did you think he was a real historical figure? In the early 1900s, he most definitely was. The Deseret Evening News carried daily updates on the battle to catch Villa, and how the Utah National Guard was called to support the battles along the U.S.-Mexico border. Following two years of war, the two countries sign the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hildalgo in early 1848. In exchange for $15 million, Mexico surrendered half its territory, or 890,000 square miles, including California, Arizona and New Mexico as well as Texas, to the United States. Fifty years later, uprisings grew along the border. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson ordered Marines to seize the Mexican port of Veracruz in retaliation for the arrest of some American sailors. In November of that year, revolutionary peasant leader Francisco 'Pancho' Villa took over. His government collapsed the following year. According to historical accounts, by late 1915, Villa had lost much of the widespread support he had enjoyed at the start of the Mexican Revolution. Having lost a series of battles, Villa and the remaining 500 soldiers of his Army of the North were desperate for food, horses and weapons. In March 1916, Villa planned a raid on the military garrison in the Columbus, New Mexico. The small town lay only a couple of miles across the border. According to historians, Villa sent spies to gather information, and they returned to report that the garrison consisted of only 50 men. On the night of March 8, Villa led the Army of the North into Columbus and attacked the garrison in the early hours of March 9. Villa's men also began looting and setting fire to houses in the town. But, instead of the 50 U.S. soldiers that Villa had expected, there were actually 350 soldiers, including the 13th U.S. Cavalry, stationed at the garrison. The raid quickly became a fierce battle when U.S. troops fought back from the garrison with machine guns. A second detachment of U.S. soldier launched a counterattack, which forced Villa and his men to retreat. They were pursued by U.S. cavalrymen back across the border into Mexico. A few weeks later Villa's forces attacked two small towns in the Big Bend region of Texas, Glenn Springs and Boquillas, fighting another garrison of American soldiers. In response to the attacks, U.S. forces under the command of Gen. John J. Pershing invaded Mexico in an attempt to capture Villa. The raid also touched off anti-Villista reprisals throughout the Southwest, with six captured raiders hanged by vigilantes at Columbus. The National Defense Act was signed on June 3, 1916, and became one of the hallmark moments in National Guard history. On June 18, 1916, the Utah National Guard mustered two squadrons of cavalry, one field artillery battery and a field hospital. In total, the Utah Guard would assign more than 800 Soldiers to duty along the Mexican border. The Utah National Guard units began to arrive at the border on June 29, 1916 and established its camp in Nogales, Arizona, along the Santa Cruz River. Utahns also had interest in the border because many followers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled in northern Mexico from 1890-1910. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Villa, the battles along the U.S.-Mexico border and why Utahns care deeply about the colonies in northern Mexico: 'Pancho Villa rides again' Pancho Villa relative is Mexico's newest tough cop Mexican towns full of poverty — and faith Twila Van Leer: The genealogist who started helping with family history at 8 years old 'Foreign attacks on U.S. soil rare in nation's history' 'Chronology: U.S.-Mexico relations since 1835″ 'Remembering back 176 years: How Utah stopped being part of Mexico' 'Guns of Villa, Calamity Jane for sale' 'Film review: 'Old Gringo''
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The booms are back: Utah National Guard plans live artillery training
BLUFFDALE, Utah () — The booms are back. Utahns can expect to hear loud booms and noises throughout this week as the Utah National Guard begins a round of live artillery testing at Camp Williams near the point of the mountain. In an , the Utah National Guard said the live artillery training will begin on Tuesday, March 4, and continue through until Friday, March 7. The booms can be expected periodically between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. throughout this time. It's not uncommon for Utahns to hear explosive booms throughout the year. No elimination of Utah's social security tax, says state budget chair Most notably, the Tooele Army Depot in September 2024 by conducting detonations to dispose of expired military munitions. Residents from Kaysville in Davis County as far as Provo in Utah County reported reverberating booms strong enough to shake houses and rattle windows. Depot officials – which typically alerts Utahns about upcoming detonations – did not post any notices before the booms were heard. Officials later said they would '' and explained that paired with the lack of cloud cover amplified the effects of the detonations. Fortunately for Utahns, weather conditions don't quite match up with what Utah was seeing in September, meaning any loud booms from the Utah National Guard this week may not travel as far or be as impactful. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
