Last Sunday, I found myself searching for something in the waning days of the divisive 2020 election cycle. Angry shouts from the far left and far right had my ears ringing, pandemic fatigue filled my mind with questioning uncertainty, and the weariness I have witnessed weighing down individuals and communities had me genuinely worried.
Then, I found hope — in North Ogden, Utah.
I stood at the podium for the city of North Ogden’s kick off to their celebration of America’s veterans. The fact that the city can’t contain Veteran’s Day to a single day, but instead 10 days, should have signaled to me that I was in for a renewing experience.
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The amphitheater, situated at the base of Ben Lomond Peak, offered a majestic view of “The Major,” a massive American flag named in honor of the former North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan. The flag, hung by Follow the Flag North Ogden, stretched across the canyon and fluttered peacefully in the breeze. The choirs from Weber High School and their inspiring voices were behind me, local residents that were socially distanced and wearing masks were seated in front of me and two F-35s from Hill Air Force Base soared above me. The feeling of being completely encircled by the spirit of freedom and the hope of America overwhelmed me.
I began my remarks by issuing a “triple-dog dare” — not a typical way for me to begin a speech. I challenged anyone, anywhere in the world who has any doubt about the future of America to come to North Ogden.
The theme for the event honoring veterans was “Stand as One.” As I pondered how to do this, a few thoughts came to my mind.
- We honor our valiant veterans by exercising the freedoms for which they fought.
- We honor those who have taken up arms in defense of freedom by laying down our weapons of words.
- We honor our veterans by standing as one with them and for them — especially our wounded warriors, those struggling on our streets or battling mental illness, depression and despair. We must also stand as one with the families of our veterans, who carry awesome burdens, as well as the gold-star families of those who did not return.
- We honor our valiant veterans by standing as one, squaring our shoulders, linking arms and marching toward better days.
- We honor those valiant veterans who have served our country by standing as one — today.
Often in the rough-and-tumble of American politics, we forget what we are really fighting for. Sometimes the pundits of doom and gloom, and those who profit from rage and division attempt to convince us that the shining city on a hill that America is supposed to be, is nothing more than a mirage. I admit that 2020 has made it seem like that city on a hill is a very, very distant land.
Attempting to see that distant land while maintaining the hope and energy necessary to keep marching toward it is taxing, exhausting and can be discouraging. At times, standing as one in that American city on a hill seems like an impossible dream, an endless quest and a futile pursuit. I felt that on Sunday. Then it all changed.
The young choir members began to sing, “A Distant Land.” The energy in their vibrant voices, their hope for the future and their belief in the distant land they sang about filled the air. It melted my heart and reforged my faith in the promise of standing as one in America’s shining city on a hill.
I see a distant land: it shines so clear. Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near.
Come, join together, take the dusty road; Help one another: share the heavy load.
The journey may be long: no end in sight: There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight:
But if you’ll take my hand, We’ll walk together toward the land of freedom, freedom, freedom.
I hear a distant song: it fills the air. I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer: ‘O Lord, we are many; help us to be one. Heal our divisions: let thy will be done.’
I know the time will come when war must cease: A time of truth and love, a time of peace.
The people cry, ‘How long? Till all our world can join the song of freedom, freedom.
I touch a distant hand and feel its glow, The hand I hoped was there: at last I know.
Swords into ploughshares: can it all be true? Friends out of strangers: start with me and you.
I see another time, another place Where we can all be one, one human race.
The walls will melt away, We’ll come together on the day of freedom, freedom, freedom.
Suddenly and powerfully, that distant land didn’t seem quite so far away. The echo of young voices resounded in hope and renewed my faith in the future. Sharing a heavy load, friends out of strangers showed that healing our divisions and walking together toward the land of freedom were clearly not a mirage off in the distance. In fact, I felt like had arrived in that distant land, within a community of extraordinary American patriots — young and old at the base of Ben Lomond Peak.
Standing as one is always good for the country and even better for the soul. If you don’t believe me, head up to North Ogden. Triple. Dog. Dare.