Photo By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | The 23rd Army Band performs during the Armed Force Day celebration, May 15, 2021, at...... read more read more
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The 23rd Army Band performed an Armed Forces Day concert for service members, veterans, and the Utah community at the Murray Park Amphitheater on May 15, 2021.
The concert served as a platform to recognize Utah's service members of the year. Those in attendance included Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard.
"At every turn over the past year, it was our military members who stepped up in so many different ways to support our community and state," said Cox. "Today, we are here to honor those service men and women."
During the inaugural Utah Armed Forces Day Concert, service members across every branch were recognized for their service to the state of Utah, which included Utah National Guard members.
"This is our first annual Service Member of the Year, but won't be our last," said Cox. "We have to celebrate these accomplishments, so we can help and educate future generations to understand how important it is to serve our country."
Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Crookston, counter intelligence technician, 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, Utah Army National Guard; and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gibson, element lead, 169th Intelligence Squadron,151st Air Refueling Wing, were recognized for their contributions.
Crookston was awarded Utah's Warrant Officer of the Year.
"I think there are a lot of qualified individuals [who] don't get recognized across all departments of the military," said Crookston. "It is an honor to be selected amongst my peers, and I just want to thank my leadership for instilling trust in me to make decisions."
Gibson was awarded Utah's Honor Guard Member of the Year.
"It is an absolute honor to be recognized against other branches of the military," said Gibson. "It's an incredible feeling every time I get the opportunity to put on my Honor Guard uniform and represent the Air Force, the Air National Guard, and my community."
On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the Armed Forces' unification under one department -- the Department of Defense.
"The Armed Forces of the United States represent a very small portion of our U.S. population, said Turley. "Less than 10 percent of the U.S. population has served or is a living veteran, and less than one percent is currently serving."
Utah is home to several U.S. military installations across the state, helping to ensure our national security and defense. Each installation is unique in its mission set and performs various functions: war-fighting, intelligence, training, maintenance, engineering, development, testing and logistics.
"I truly appreciate all those who have worn the color and cloth of our nation throughout this great experiment we call the democracy of the United States," said Turley. "Whether you serve in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or our newest branch Space Force, thank you for protecting our liberty and democracy."
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2021 20:00 |
| Story ID: | 396985 |
| Location: | SALT LAKE CITY , UT, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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