Political Quotes

“it is my honor today to pay tribute to five native Utahns who are brothers and veterans of World War II and Korea: William, Gail, George, Jack, and Bert Alexander. These five brothers answered the call to defend our freedom and the freedoms of others from foreign invaders. Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the North Koreans believed it their right to attack and forcefully restrict the freedoms of their neighbors, but these brothers recognized that our freedom as American citizens is inextricably linked to the freedom of our friends and allies. Remaining safely protected in Northern Utah was not an option for the Alexander brothers; they answered the call to take up arms and defend freedom's cause. One brother, SGT Gail Alexander, was killed in action exactly 75 years ago tomorrow, May 24, 1944, during the Anzio campaign to retake Rome, Italy. The Anzio campaign and then Operation Neptune--or D-day, as it came to be known--marked an important turning point in World War II, with the Allies beginning to liberate and retake German-occupied Europe, restoring freedom to the French and Italians and subsequently to the rest of Europe. Prior to his death, Gail received a Purple Heart and Silver Star citation for Gallantry when on February 4, 1944, after sustaining a gunshot injury to his hand, he singlehandedly took out a German machine gun position that had held up his entire company.…”