Republican US Senator Orrin Hatch delivered the keynote address for the Memorial Day celebration in Woods Cross Monday. Senator Hatch stepped to the podium following the Woods Cross Men’s Chorus singing a song Hatch co-wrote with Janice Kapp-Perry called “I Love Old Glory.” He recalled his emotions while standing at the grave site of General George Patton in Luxembourg where 5-thousand American soldiers are buried.
“I’ve been to a lot of the cemeteries and I have to say I’m always moved when I consider the sacrifices that these folks made for our country, for you for me, for our children and grandchildren,” says Hatch.
Hatch warned Americans not to take for granted the freedoms they enjoy.
“We’re living in a day and age where you have to be concerned about some of the philosophies being engendered right now that really are taking us away from the belief, the true belief, that this is not only the greatest country in the world, but it’s the freest country in the world," says Hatch.
He says as he travels the country he finds that people are as patriotic as ever.
“To me a patriot is someone who upholds the constitution and realizes how important it is and then lives in accordance with those freedoms so that they can promulgate them even further throughout the country…and a person who votes,” Hatch says.
Hatch’s speech was followed by a breakfast and a day of family activities at the park at Woods Cross City Hall.
