OCR Text |
Show News m Covering what matters most XSPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009 • A9 F" ^^^'^^^^ Clayson recalls veterans' sacrifice Namon Bills EDITOR Spanish Fork's American Legion Post 68 hosted annual Memorial Day services in the Salem, Benjamin and Spanish Fork cemeteries on Monday, May 25. In Spanish Fork, Steve Wilson introduced the program, 'thanking the many volunteers who helped with preparations, which included placing 1,323 crosses, flags and poppies in the cemetery to honor the veterans buried there. The flag was raised in honor of Bob Hutchings, a Spanish Fork veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict, who died this past year. Following his military service, Hutchings served for years in the American Legion. The veterans1 memorial that now stands in the cemetery was the brainchild of Bob Hutchings, and he worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Music for the program was provided by the Mapleton Chorale, under the direction of new Maple Mountain High School choir director Cory Mendenhali. The keynote speaker was Lt. Tim Clayson of the Utah National Guard 145th Field Artillery C Battery, based in Spanish Fork. Clayson has been a member of the 145th for 19 years, and served in the war against terror both here at home and during a yearlong deployment in Iraq. Clayson spoke of the history of this country's wars from World War I to the present. He said the those who volunteered for these conflicts "fought as an investment of sorts with hopes their sons would not have to fight in future conflicts." He called the ongoing war on terror a complex asymmetrical conflict, "a right we cannot afford to lose/' Clayson praised the veterans on the stand With him as men of action and courage, who were willing to answer their country's call to duty. 'Their courage and conviction are what separates them from the average person," he said. He quoted Abraham Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixby, who had lost five sons in the Civil War. Lincoln referred to the sacrifice she had laid on the altar of freedom. Clayson encouraged those in the audience to consider what their sacrifice might be. "Every single veteran has offered a sacrifice ... on the altar of freedom. ... We should ask ourselves, 'What sacrifice am I willing to lay on that altar?'" he said. The program concluded with a rifle salute and the playing of''Taps. 1 ' Kate Jarman / Spanish Fork News REMEMBRANCE: Lt. Tim Clayson speaks to the crowd in Spanish Fork, above. Below, volunteers placed over 1,300 crosses commemorating those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Creer inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame Jeril Bills STAFF W R I T E R On Memorial Day, Spanish Fork native Major General William Creer (deceased) was inducted as the 23rd member of the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame since its beginning in 1996. Accepting the medal on behalf of the Creer family was daughter Bettie Marx, who traveled from California to take part in the induction ceremony. Former Congressman Jim Hansen spoke at the • ceremony, and Senator Bob Bennett, who was unable to attend because of a prior commitment, sent Major Gen. William Creer his remarks with Glendon Johnson, his former chief of staff, who was personally acquainted with Creer. Creer became fasci- nated with flight from the first time he saw an airplane land in a field near Utah Lake. As a senior at Spanish Fork High School (1929-30), Creer and five friends formed the Spanish Fork Glider Club. They raised money to purchase a glider kit, with which they assembled a glider that they,learned to fly. When Creer entered the Army Air Corps Flying School in 1935, he executed a practice forced -landing with such precision that his instructor was astonished and made him do it again. Although this was the first. time he'd been trained formally, Creer had already learned much about flying on the glider he built with his friends. Creer was commissioned in 1937, and in 1943 he joined the Eighth Air Force in England. There he played a significant role in the Allied nations' victory in Europe, directing 170 successful missions as Squadron Commander of the 94th Bomb Group, and leading personally 17 B-17 missions as Combat Command Pilot. His experiences as bomb group leader are* captured in the movie "Twelve O'CIock High." After several more years of leadership and service in the Armed Forces, Major General Creer retired in 1968. When Creer's daughter, Joyce Taylor, heard news of plans to create the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame, she and her husband, Wendell, got to work on a package to nominate her father, and they submitted it in 1992. On Monday she was able to see the fulfillment of her efforts, as Creer received the honor that is only given to one aviator per year. Creer's daughter Bettie Marx called it "one of the proudest days of my life," saying that when she got the news that Creer had been selected for induction, "I was overwhelmed with pride and could only think, 'How deserving. How ap- propriate." Hansen, in his remarks, said that heroes often come from small places. "You'd never expect some kid from Spanish • Fork to end up like General • Creer did," said Hansen. "Spanish Fork, Utah, is just a little old town ... a dusty Utah town like my town of Farmington — but that's where they come from." Senator Bennett called Creer "a man of great character " and "a man who devoted his life to his country." Creer is Spanish Fork's third inductee" into the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame, along with Walt Stewart and Gail Halvorsen. |