Nestled throughout the sacred grounds of the North Logan Memorial Park are several military veterans who lie at rest.

Vern Russell James and Norman Ray Sunderland are two of them, both veterans of the Korea War. Frank Boyer Salisbury is a veteran of World War II. And Army Sergeant First Class Hughby F. Barker is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Each of these veterans is the reason we are here today.

We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”

“Some people live an entire lifetime,” President Ronald Regan said, “and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world…”

“A veteran,” he continued, “does not have that problem.”

On this Memorial Day, may our hearts be filled with gratitude and love for those who have served our country.

Some served in peacetime. Some served during combat but not in combat zones. Some served in combat zones but did not engage in what may be defined as actual combat. Some engaged in actual combat.

They each served. They each swore their allegiance to the Constitution.

We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”

May we always honor their courage. May we always remember their sacrifice. May we never forget those who didn’t come home.

Among those who didn’t come home are three friends, three brothers in arms…

• Major Brent Taylor who was the Mayor of North Ogden at the time he was killed in Afghanistan.
• Lance Corporal Michael Allred, a close friend who lies now in permanent rest in Hyde Park, the place I call home.
• Sergeant First Class Ron Wood, who I served with while deployed to Iraq, the details of that day are forever etched in my heart.

For those who on the battlefields of war offered up the utmost sacrifice, from these “honored dead” as President Abraham Lincoln softly spoke at Gettysburg, may “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion–that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…”

We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”

I penned the following words as a tribute to honor each who has Stood to Defend.

THEY STOOD TO DEFEND
By Les Patterson

At a desk or on a ship
In the mud or in the air
Veterans our country served
They stood to defend.

Allegiance forged
Sworn in Constitutional words
Against all enemies
They stood to defend.

That ultimate price
Laid upon the altars of freedom
They were willing to pay
They stood to defend.

Ruffles and Flourishes
Our Flag’s banners unfurled
The charge to lead
They stood to defend.

Be it peacetime or war
Each veteran who served
Is a veteran to honor
They stood to defend.

May our gratitude be eternal
Nor shall we ever forget
Our honor to always remember
They who stood to defend.

As we pause to remember on this beautiful Memorial Day, may we each find our way to honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”