Six Utah civilian, state, military and religious leaders were honored with Minuteman Awards by the Utah National Guard Wednesday night.
Sponsored by the Guard's Honorary Colonels Corps, the dinner gathering in the Little America Hotel featured the presentation of Minuteman statuettes, a symbol of America's three-century tradition of the volunteer citizen-soldier. The award is the highest bestowed upon civilians by the Utah National Guard.Honored were:
- President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for "outstanding leadership and service to the community, citizens of Utah and nations of the world."
President Faust was a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve and was an Assistant to the Twelve and a member of the Presidency of the Seventy before being called to the church's governing First Presidency. He was vice president of the board and chairman of the executive committee of the Deseret News Publishing Co., state director of Friendship Force of Utah and a member of the State Constitutional Revision Commission.
- Dr. L. George Veasy, former physician in chief at Primary Children's Medical Center and now a researcher and professor at University Hospital, for "immeasurable contributions to the quality of life for children throughout the Mountain West." Veasy was named "Doctor of the Year" by the Utah Medical Association in 1996. His "unique vision brought great success with his miniaturization of the aortic balloon pump . . . Dr. Veasy worked constantly to bring all medical specialities to (Primary) hospital."
- Gerald R. Sherratt, president of Southern Utah University, for "outstanding leadership, service and commitment to education." He founded the Utah Summer Games and served as its board chairman, founded the Festival of the American West in Logan and wrote the festival's centerpiece pageant, "The West: America's Odyssey."
- Attorney General Jan Graham "for conviction and energetic pursuit to eliminate family violence." She was cited for making child protection her No. 1 priority and for initiating strong moves to combat family violence. "Her bold community-based `Safe at Home' program has touched thousands of Utahns and continues to grow."
- Stephen M. Studdert, Utah Centennial chairman, for "innovative planning and distinctive leadership" for the centennial and other events. He directed and produced the 1989 presidential inaugural, served on the President's Export Council and since the fall of the Soviet Union has been heavily involved in helping developing democracies.
- Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Webb "for devotion to duty and inspirational leadership." He played a key role in mobilization and activation of the 144th Combat Support Hospital for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Now retired after 37 years of military service, he is widely known as a leader in the design and creation of artificial limbs and braces.