Letter from the Editor

Last Veteran’s Day, a friend of mine had the opportunity to attend a local parade that honored the veterans of our community. As she watched the parade go by, she noticed an elderly man standing beside her with tears in his eyes. When she asked him what was wrong, he explained that he had served in the military during the Vietnam War and had lost many of his fellow soldiers in combat. He went on to express how much it meant to him to see his community come together to honor and show appreciation for the sacrifices that he and his comrades had made. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring those who have protected our freedoms and way of life.

In 1999, Congress declared the month of May as National Military Appreciation Month. It is a time for Americans to show their gratitude and support for the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the country’s armed forces, many of whom have experienced physical and emotional trauma from which they never fully recover.

In 2016, my wife and I were doing some work for a company that flew us to Switzerland to meet with one of our manufacturers. My wife left a few days ahead of me, and I was to meet up with her and some business colleagues just outside of Zurich. Due to some scheduling difficulties, I ended up flying into Frankfurt, Germany. I then took a five hour train ride to our hotel in Weinfelden, Switzerland.

While I sat on the train and watched the countryside roll by, I was struck by the thought that it wasn’t too long ago that we had been at war with the country whose scenery I was observing. I thought about my uncle, Alma Dalley, a World War II veteran who had fought in Europe and helped with the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp. He saw things, both in combat and at Dachau, that affected him for the rest of his life. He wrote the following in a letter home: “I’ve seen some terrible, awful sights since I’ve been here, but yesterday I saw something I wish I hadn’t. It is something every American should see. I dare say there would be no more doubt or indecision as to just what we are fighting for or against. No one could even imagine the terribleness of it…unless they saw it for themselves.” Uncle Alma then went on to describe the human suffering he had witnessed in Dachau. Alma Dalley and thousands of men and women like him are the reasons we can never say thank you enough.

As residents of southern Utah and citizens of this great country, I hope we will find ways to honor the veterans we know, not only during National Military Appreciation Month but always. Your expressions of appreciation often provide them with a sense of closure and healing from the traumas of war they experienced.

On a personal level, I would like to express my gratitude for those who have served and are currently serving to protect and defend freedom. Those who know me know I’m a very patriotic person and staunch supporter of protecting our unalienable rights and American values. When we honor our veterans, we demonstrate our commitment to these values and ensure that their contributions are not forgotten.

Brendan Dalley, Editor