Residents of North Ogden received a big announcement on Monday, January 8, 2018, from Mayor Brent Taylor: “Serving as the mayor of North Ogden City has been one of the greatest honors of my life and the highlight of my civilian professional career. Service is really what leadership is all about. I am announcing today that I will be deploying to Afghanistan to continue my service as a member of the Army National Guard.”
Due to his experience and skills, Taylor is needed to serve in our nation’s long-lasting war in Afghanistan. He says, “President Trump has ordered an increase in troops, and part of the new strategy focuses on expanding the capabilities of the Afghan commando units.”
With this being said, Taylor will be assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion. He is anticipated to serve for a period of 12 months.
During the time Taylor will be overseas, a temporary mayor of North Ogden will be appointed to fulfill all the duties of the office.
“I have full confidence that the City will continue to operate at the high level of service that our citizens have come to expect from our outstanding City Staff, our very capable City Council, and a soon-to-be- appointed temporary mayor,” adds Taylor.
Nearly 200 well-wishers from North Ogden and surrounding cities were quick to comment on Mayor Taylor’s Facebook page about his decision to deploy.
Janiel Foster writes, “God bless you and your family. May He bring you home safely. You’ll be missed by our city.”
Edythe Kuhn says, “Thank you for your service to our city and to our country. We will miss you, and I fear you have set the bar very high for anyone who replaces you even temporarily.”
“You, your wife, and family have done so much for this community! Our hearts go with you!” from Ann Rosier.
Patrick Monson, writes, “God speed, Brent. Thank you to you and your family for your service and sacrifice. Your family will be watched out for and blessed in your temporary absence.”
Mayor Taylor mentioned his family in his announcement saying that, “My family is proud to be a military family. In speaking of his good wife, Taylor goes onto say, “Together with our seven children we are looking forward to this opportunity to again join the thousands of other Utah National Guard families and hundreds of thousands of American families who have honorably sent a servicemember on deployment.”
If any of you know the Taylor family you know how amazing they truly are! They are a strong unit. And Mayor Taylor’s wife, Jennie, is as strong as they come! She also has a deep love for her community and family.
When speaking to her about the news of her husband’s deployment she said, “It’s amazing how much strength the Lord gives you when you try to do His will. And really, I can feel the uplifting power of so many people’s prayers in our behalf. The strength people think I have is definitely not my own. Brent and I are very far from perfect people, and yet we have always tried to be willing to seek and follow the Lord’s will.”
If you would like to wish Mayor Taylor, Major in the U.S. Army National Guard, a warm farewell you’re invited to come to the Open House on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the North View Senior Center (behind the library in North Ogden).
From yet another supportive friend, Craig Chambers, “You have served with integrity, honor and dignity, Brent. Our prayers will be with you. You will be missed. Your leadership for our community has been outstanding.”
Pictures are from Kaitlin Ann Westbroek at Westbroek Studios-Professional Portrait Photography.
