Ferron City welcomed the Utah National Guard to the park on Saturday in commemoration of the city becoming the newest Community Covenant city in Utah.
“It is an honor to be asked by the National Guard to become a covenant city,” said Mayor JoAnn Behling.
The 211th Attack Aviation Battalion, stationed out of West Jordan, was on hand as well as local member Jeremy Tannahil who grew up in Ferron. Tannahil was instrumental in bringing the National Guard to the area. In addition to celebrating with Ferron City, the Guard is using Millsite State Park for training exercises.
General Bryan L. Tarbet followed Behling and remarked about the number of Utah soldiers in the war.
“As the sun rose over Emery County this morning there are 400 Utahns at war,” he said. He then said that 150 more are being deployed Wednesday.
SergeantВ Ryan Palmer, a native of Richfield, explained what a community covenant is and means to a community.
“It is a formal declaration of the support service members, veterans and families in all branches and components of the armed services within the community,” he said. He then read the covenant that will be displayed in the Ferron City office and National Guard office.
Behling, other council members, and General Tarbet then signed the covenant followed by community members.
The program continued with additional speeches by Steven Thorton, Chris Peterson, and Jan Hess. Liberty Kids performed a special musical number and Shayla Pitchforth sang “American the Beautiful” to end the program.
Tanks, Hummers, guns, and a helicopter were brought to the event for the public to view.