SANTAN SUN NEWS | NOVEMBER 17-30, 2018
SOLDIER
from page 1
on Twitter, “Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating.” Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a statement that called Taylor a “brave and selfless soldier.” “The entire Herbert family mourns with this soldier’s family and we pray that their burdens may be lifted, and that the hearts of all Utahns will reach out to comfort them in their grief,” the governor wrote. Taylor was shot and killed just two days before the U.S. midterm election. That was an ironic twist of fate because in his final Facebook post he urged people to exercise “their precious right to vote.” “It was beautiful to see over fourmillion Afghan men and women brave threats and deadly attacks to vote in Afghanistan’s first parliamentary elections in eight years,” Taylor wrote. “The strong turnout, despite the attacks and challenges, was a success for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan and for the cause of human freedom.” Taylor was due to return to North Ogden and his mayoral duties in January. Instead, his body was flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where his wife, Jennie, and two of their seven children awaited. “To say our hearts are anything less than shattered would be nothing less than true deceit,” Jennie Taylor wrote in a statement. “And yet to deny the
sacred honor that is to stand that close to some of the freshest blood that has been spilled for our country would be absolute blasphemy.” Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan in January on what was his second tour there and fourth deployment of his 10-year military career. He served as
Army deployments: Mosul, Iraq (2007); Baghdad (2008); and Kunduz, Afghanistan (2012). He was awarded a Purple Heart medal and a Bronze Star medal for exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Of all the tours he went on, this was probably the tour I was least concerned
“
Of all the tours he went on, this was probably the tour I was least concerned about. And this is the one he didn’t come home from.
”
– Audra Owens an intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters. Defense department officials believe his attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. That man was in turn killed by other Afghan forces. Audra Owens first saw the news of his death while scrolling on Facebook. She is a member of the North Odgen city page, just so she could follow Taylor’s progress. “I loved watching him maintain his composure to all the witty complaints (at city council meetings),” Owens said. “I love watching him in action.” But then she saw some comments on the page she just didn’t want to believe. “I thought it had to be a hoax at first,” Owens said. “We just took turns sobbing.” Taylor had served three previous
Ready T0 Moooove?
about,” Audra Owens said. “And this is the one he didn’t come home from.” The Taylors’ seven children – Megan, 13; Lincoln, 11; Alex, 9; Jacob, 7; Ellie, 5; Jonathan, 2; and Caroline, 11 months – are now the beneficiaries of a GoFundMe page. At last check, organizers appeared close to their $550,000 goal. Taylor was born July 6, 1979, in Ogden, Utah, the second of eight children of Stephen and Tamara Jones Taylor. He came from a strong military family with five of his brothers joining him in the Army National Guard. While growing up, the Taylor family lived in Utah and California before settling in Arizona in 1991. Taylor’s obit mentions he was a “man of faith.” As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-year mission in Brazil between 1998 and 2000. He met Jennie Ashworth after his
COMMUNITY NEWS
mission while in college at Brigham Young University. It was a blind date that first brought them together. They were married in September 2003, a year before Brent left for Basic Training and Counterintelligence Training for the Utah National Guard. Taylor went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in political science from BYU in 2006. Later, he earned his master’s of Public Administration from the University of Utah in 2012. In November 2009, Taylor was elected to the North Ogden City Council after his two consecutive tours of duty to Iraq. He was elected as mayor in November 2013 and ran unopposed for reelection last year. He was working on completing a Ph.D. in international relations from Utah at the time of his death. University officials said it plans to posthumously award Taylor the degree in the spring. The Chandler Unified School District is honoring Taylor’s memory by posting video clips from his speech to the governing board in 1996 and his 1997 Chandler High commencement address. Taylor’s final message on Facebook, however, might be one of his most important in these divided times. “Whether the Republicans or the Democrats win,” Taylor wrote about last week’s election, “Remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us. ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ God Bless America.” In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brent Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah.
Healthy Smiles. Happy Patients.
Our listings are selling in 1-2 days! We need more homes to sell to keep up with buyer demand! Are You Ready?
Call today for your free property analysis and consultation. We are a full service Brokerage. We believe you deserve the best representation, the best service, and the most money for the sale of your home. There are no hidden fees when you work with us, and that means more money in your pocket at the end of your transaction. Cynthia McNicol Designated Broker
(602) 672-8834
Michelle Petrin (480) 310-0125
Laura Esoarza (602) 702-7787
Sharon Jones (480) 209-5801
Kathy Fama (602) 284-5051
Teresa Kennedy (602) 791-5858
602-672-8834 corechoicerealty.com
3
480.899.6677 www.ChandlerDentalHealth.com