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DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Delaware (AP) – The body of a Utah mayor and a member of the National Army Guard who urged Americans to vote before his death in Afghanistan was referred to the US. American soil.
Military officials said the 39-year-old mayor of North Ogden, Brent Taylor, was shot dead Saturday by an Afghan commando he was training, who was later killed by Afghan forces.
Major Taylor was waiting to return to Mayor Taylor's position in January. His death leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and their seven children, aged from 11 months to 13 years.
She was there while her remains were brought back to Dover Air Base in Delaware.
"Brent may have died on Afghan soil, but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in our two countries," she said in a statement referring to her husband's latest message on Facebook, which urged Americans to exercise their "precious right" vote. "
"That sounds entirely appropriate," said her statement, according to which her husband "went home on American soil in a flag draped coffin on the day of our election".
Taylor's message, connecting democracy abroad and home, has been seen and shared thousands of times.
"It was magnificent to see more than four million Afghan Afghan men and women brave threats and launch deadly attacks in the first parliamentary elections in Afghanistan for eight years." The high turnout, despite attacks and challenges, has been a success for the long-suffering Afghan people and for the cause of human freedom, "he writes.
"As the United States prepares to vote in our own elections next week, I hope that all citizens will exercise their precious right to vote, whether Republicans or Democrats win it, we Let us all remember that we have many more Americans who join forces with us than we divide. "United we stand, divided we fall." God bless America. "
Taylor, a military intelligence officer at Joint Force Headquarters, made two visits to Iraq and was on his second visit to Afghanistan.
"He was with people that he was helping and training in. This is what is so painful.It is bitter," said Major-General Jefferson S. Burton, Adjutant General of the United States, on Sunday. National Guard of Utah. "I think Major Taylor felt between friends, with people he was working with."
Taylor became mayor in 2013 and received the farewell of a local hero during his deployment last January. Hundreds of North Ogden residents, about 65 km north of Salt Lake City, lined the street to see him leave the city as police escorted him with his family around the community. About 17,000 inhabitants.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert said Taylor "was there to help, he was a leader, he loved the Afghan people … it's a sad day for Utah, for America."
"Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father and a dear friend," said US Senator Utah Orrin Hatch on Twitter. "The news of his death in Afghanistan is devastating, my prayers and love go to Jennie and her seven young children, and her service will always be remembered."
