HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Patriots from Hill AFB joined other Utah service members and celebrated Patriot Night at the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo opening ceremony July 22, by unfurling and displaying “The Major,” a giant American flag.
The Major, named after Utah Army National Guard Maj. Brent Taylor who was mayor of North Ogden for five years before he was killed in action in Afghanistan on Nov. 3, 2018, is one of the largest free-flying American flags, measuring 158 feet long, 78 feet wide and weighing 400 pounds.
Base members participate in the opening ceremony annually and have presented The Major since 2019.
“This year we had almost every branch represented, including 15 delayed enlistment program members,” said Master Sgt. Jamaica Stephens, Fuels Quality Compliance section chief and the military coordinator for the event.
Stephens said it’s a crowd pleaser to include the DEP members for the second time.
“Last year we began kicking off the opening ceremonies by incorporating DEP members with their swear-in before having them join us for the unfurling,” she said. “Everyone loves it and the flag is almost 12,000 square feet in size, so the more the merrier.”
Stephens said being involved with this patriotic ceremony has been one of the highlights of her military career.
“When we started this to honor Major Taylor, his wife Jennie was down in front of the flag and you're looking at over 100 military members and a stadium full of patrons paying their respects not only to the flag, but to the fallen Mayor and his family for their sacrifice,” Stephens said. “She has come back for the unfurling each year since then and always takes the time to personally thank the volunteers.
Stephens said there’s a two-fold benefit for participating in the rodeo’s Patriot Night.
“We are essentially there to be recognized and honored for our service, but all of the military members unfurling and waving one of the largest freestanding flags in the country is a visual representation of our appreciation for their support.” she said “The support that Team Hill receives from not only the local community but the entire state of Utah is unmatched.”