I’m honored to be part of a family of veterans. My dad Ed “Sonny” Patterson was a veteran of the Air Force and the Utah Army National Guard. My mother’s father Forrest “Corky” Christiansen was an Army veteran who fought in World War II. My brothers Robert and Marc are both veterans of the Utah Army National Guard. I have uncles, cousins, and extended family who are veterans. My greatest honor comes from my three veteran sons: Cody is in…
My heart ached when I heard the news Brent Taylor had been killed in Afghanistan. Brent was a friend who was a major in the Utah Army National Guard as well as the mayor of North Ogden in Utah. My sorrow quickly turned to anger and hatred when I heard Brent was killed by one of the Afghan soldiers he was training. Brent had a compassionate love for the people he was helping. He truly believed he was making a difference….
I have been a Cowboy and an Army Guy for Halloween. I’ve been a Deer Hunter and a Pirate. Last year I was Sonny to my daughter’s Cher. Today, I pulled out one of my favorites, Phantom of the Opera. The list is huge when it comes to what character we’ll be for Halloween, and what story we’ll portray. That’s what makes this holiday so fun. Just like playing makebelieve when we were kids, Halloween gives us permission we create…
There was a time I thought no one saw me. I felt invisible. I felt like the good in the world bypassed me and only the bad found me. I connected well in thought, though not in reality, with the character portrayed in the movie “Cipher in the Snow.” The movie tells the heartwrenching story of a teenage boy who dies unexpectedly stepping off a school bus. One of his teachers is asked to notify the boy’s parents and write his obituary. The teacher…
Tonight’s gift from Cache Valley… AS THE SUN DOTH SET By Les Patterson Tonight’s fading sun Framed by dying leaves Echoes quietly Peace for those who grieve. As the sun doth set Closing out each day Though we bide for more Night won’t hold at bay. Same is true of life An ending doth come At some point for each No matter where from. Yet peace we can take Assurance be true The Son doth rise For me and for…
Proposition #1 on the Utah Ballot proposes to put our kids first by significantly increasing funding for education by increasing the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon. Unfortunately, this is misleading and incorrect. In this Standard-Examiner guest editorial, Jonathan Johnson helps us see that the “Utah Constitution specifically limits how the state may spend gasoline fees, taxes, and other charges.” The Constitution specifically allows, Johnson explains, gas taxes to be used for “funding driver safety, road…
Please. Watch this video. Then continue reading. Jason Silva words are powerfully true. “As I recite therefore I become.” “The world is made of words and if you know the words the world is made of you can make of it whatever you wish… Become an author of reality.” We create our own story. That’s what Jason is saying. That’s what I’m saying as well. This is true for me. This is also true for you. WOW!!! Language. Words. Story….
I was first introduced to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1986 while in living in Florida as a church missionary. A youngish couple we were teaching had recently published a coffee table book of their photos from Fiesta. We enjoyed our time together talking, learning and sharing. At the end of the evening, they gave me an autographed copy of their book. I’m not sure where that book is today, though I’m guessing it’s in one of the many boxes of books…
I started my first hourly job washing dishes at the Grand Western Cafe in Richfield, Utah. I still remember the day when my dad came home and told me I was going to work at the cafe the following Saturday. This was in 1980 not long after 9th-grade started. The Grand Western Cafe lived up to its name, starting with the lifesize Hereford bull majestically perched on top of his cafe throne as you can see in the picture above….
The Army Omelet tradition started when Elisa was just a young child. Her father, George “Buddy” Peterson, loved omelets, especially those served in the Army chow halls. So twice a year on the first Sunday in October and April, when the family’s normal Sunday schedule took a hiatus, Dad whipped up his “Army Omelets.” When Elisa and I were married the Army Omelet tradition carried on. On the same Sundays twice a year I set my hand at cracking eggs,…