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Show Solons honor Marine SALT LAKE A hushed silence fell over the normal din on Capitol Hill Wednesday as legislators paused to pay tribute to Bountiful Marine Lance Cpl. Dion J. Stephenson, the first Utahn killed in Operation Desert Storm. Dion's parents, James and Geri, and younger brother Marine Lance Cpl. Shaun, attended the brief ceremonies in the House and the Senate. The resolution memorialized memorializ-ed the fallen 22-year-old for "his willingness to give his life in defense of his fellowman and the ideal of freedom." Rep. Nancy Lyon, R-Bountiful, the main sponsor of the resolution, elaborated on the commendation in the House. "We pay tribute today to Utah's valiant sons and daughters who have left behind this safe desert haven for another desert filled with turmoil and threat. We pay tribute today to a Utah son who cherished freedom, family and life," she said. Addressing the Stephenson family, fami-ly, Lyon said, "This day we honor his family who have given much SEE MARINE ON A-4 ; 1 i - .1 Marine CONTINUED FROM A-l and lost much. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, the values you so deeply deep-ly instilled in your sons have strengthened us all in this time of tragedy." The Stephensons stood quietly as the resolution was read. The appearance ap-pearance of Shaun, proudly dressed in his Marine uniform, added a depth dep-th of solemnity to the occasion. The young man had escorted his brother's body home from Saudi Arabia, where he too was stationed. "Whereas it requires an uncommon un-common depth of love for someone to willingly forsake all the tangible joys of this life to help preserve the intangible ideal of freedom for millions of people he will never know," began the resolution. "Whereas Marine Lance Cpl. Dion James Stephenson has made this sacrifice and though no expression expres-sion could adequately capture the significance of his fight or bind the wounds caused by his loss, we are moved to try to speak what we feel in our hearts. We honor him and all those who may follow him as heroes that gave each of us a special gift, and we pledge to share with future generations how valiantly they stood in our place." Dion's father made a brief statement state-ment thanking the government leaders and the people of Utah for their support. Stephenson's brief thank you to the House was follow ed by a standing ovation. Lyon then led the Stephensons to the Senate. She said when clerk Eugene Bridges began reading the resolution in the upper chamber, he was overcome by emotion and had to pause for several seconds before he could continue. Sen. R. Lane Beattie, R-Bountiful, also paid an emotional tribute to the Stephen-sons Stephen-sons in the Senate. "Dion's death was something of such magnitude to all of us. It really made a statement about the depth of this conflict. It has really touched all of us," said Lyon. "We appreciate his family's commitment I felt very honored to be a part of this. This was a labor of love on everyone's part," she said. The flag at the Stephenson home in Bountiful flies at half staff in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Dion Stephenson. Geri Stephenson, Dion's mother, 10-year-old Michael Stephenson, and James Stephenson, Dion's father, stand by the flagpole which was given to them by neighbors as a tribute to Dion. |