Pres. Uchtdorf honored with highest civilian award from Utah National Guard
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, received the Bronze Minuteman award from the Utah National Guard at a ceremony in Salt Lake City on June 23.
Six others, including Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, received the honor, which is the highest civilian award given by the Guard.
"Over the past several years President Uchtdorf has cultivated a relationship with the Utah Air National Guard, visiting the base on a number of occasions, providing spiritual guidance to Airmen and joining pilots and crew on a[n] ... orientation flight," the Guard said in a press release.
At the ceremony, President Uchtdorf expressed gratitude to the Guard for honoring him.
"It's a great privilege and honor to be recognized by the Guard whom I all love and appreciate for who they are and what they stand for," President Uchtdorf said. "They're such a representation of good things — liberty, freedom — but also the goodness of individuals."
President Uchtdorf addressed more than 400 members of the Utah Air National Guard in a devotional on Feb. 8, 2009 (see Church News, Feb. 14, 2009). During his remarks on that occasion, President Uchtdorf praised Guard members for their service.
"Each of you can take comfort in the sweet assurance that the Lord knows of your service and He knows of your devotion to righteous principles," he said.
The Utah Air National Guard presented President Uchtdorf a similar award, the Concord Minuteman, in April 2009, naming him an honorary wingman (see Church News, May 30, 2009).
Others who received the award were Melba H. Wahlen, widow of late U.S. Army Maj. George Wahlen; Fred C. Adams, founder of the Utah Shakespearean Festival; Richard A. Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of Associated Food Stores, Inc.; Chief Master Sgt. Robert A. Hill of the Utah National Guard; and honorary Col. Gerald R. "Skip" Daynes, owner of Daynes Music Co.
