Proud American
 
By Adam Benson
The Herald Journal - Logan, Utah
 
HYRUM — Utah’s unique brand of patriotism is forging footsteps for the rest of the country to follow, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Sunday.

"In this state more than any place else and in communities like Hyrum, we understand that it takes all of us to work together to preserve our freedoms," the state’s top lawyer told a crowd of about 500. "I am so proud to know that in Utah, we stand by not just with our words."

In a roughly 20-minute speech that kicked off Hyrum’s Independence Day festivities, Shurtleff drew parallels between the turbulent years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks to another — yet largely forgotten — period of American history: The War of 1812.

In that fight, American troops fought to preserve the "experiment" of democracy against British forces who tried to regain control of the new nation.

"That would have been the end of the American experience," said Shurtleff. As English naval ships bombarded Fort McHenry in Baltimore, it was left up to a small handful of men to fend them off.

The fort was pounded with cannonballs through the night, but the American flag was still flying the next morning, providing the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"Our flag still flies, and that’s what is so wonderful about it," said Shurtleff.

And with the five-year anniversary of 9/11 two months away, Shurtleff said Americans should come together once again.

"We are a divided country as we sit here today, five years after that attack. Those who have been elected to put aside petty politics and special self-interests are just not doing that," he said.

That’s in stark contrast to the immediate aftermath of 9/11, said Shurtleff.

"We pulled together. We first came into our homes and held our children and talked about America. We knelt in prayer," he said. "We supported one another, and we remembered what it meant to be Americans."

Shurtleff, a former Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Navy, also expressed his appreciation for the country’s fighting forces.

"Most of these men and women when interviewed say they’re proud that they had a chance to bleed for this country," he said. "Our men and women as speak are giving their lives in the thousands and suffering horrific wounds not just to bring freedom to a foreign place … but to make sure that you and I in our homes don’t have to fight that war."

He urged those in attendance to act on their patriotism.

"Take this great love you have for your nation and turn it into service," he said. "The rest of the world will take note that we know and we believe and that we’ll continue to serve this flag with all of our might."

Shurtleff, who came to Hyrum instead of celebrating his son’s 21st birthday, praised the community’s celebration of the nation’s birth.

"We in the big cities have forgotten how to celebrate the birth of our nation like you do here in these smaller towns," he said.

Shurtleff, whose appearance conflicted with his son Heath’s 21st birthday, said his family encouraged him to keep the speaking engagement.

"I always am concerned that people in the state know their elected officials exist," said Shurtleff.

Following his remarks, Shurtleff told The Herald Journal that authorities are "closer they they’ve ever been" at apprehending Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader Warren Jeffs following a raid on a Cedar City home earlier this week.

Since Jeffs’ appearance on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted fugitive list, his profile has risen.

"It wasn’t a priority for all the other FBI agencies across the country. Now it is," said Shurtleff, who said Jeffs is most likely somewhere in Texas.

He also said he was dismayed at the recent failure of a constitutional amendment that would have made flag burning a crime.

"I was disappointed. Any attack or desecration of the flag is an attack on the sovereignty of this nation," he said. "That flag is a piece of America."

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E-mail: bensona@hjnews.com
 
hjnews.townnews.com
Originally published Monday, July 3, 2006
 
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