When I was asked to write the message this month I readily agreed.  “450 words,” I thought.  “How hard can it be?”

I should have known that sitting down to answer the question, “How did you get involved in the Foundation?” would be an emotionally wrenching experience.  These things always are.

As I looked for a photo of myself to share, I was distracted by photos of the events surrounding Brent’s death.  One of the things that caught my eye was a video of the procession from the Airbase where Brent’s body was returned to the mortuary in Ogden where it would rest until the funeral.  Seeing again the hundreds of people on the side of the road or in stopped vehicles on the highway; flags and signs on the bridges over the freeway all brought the emotions of that day and that week and that year right back to me.

As we drove past those people who were paying respect to my deceased son, I remember the honor I felt and the gratitude I felt and the love I felt from each of them.  As I remembered those feelings, I remembered also why I am involved in the Foundation.  It is a continuation of feelings that began on November 3, 2018 and continue to this day.  Feelings of the honor it is to share my son, Major Brent Russell Taylor, with my country and with my fellow Americans who want to do something to show their love for Brent, for me, and for the United States of America.

The opportunity that came through involvement with the Foundation, particularly with the huge flag and with flag missions, is a chance for me to give back a little of what I was so blessed to receive.  I feel that if I can give someone a glimpse of those feelings I received—the love, the respect, the peace—then I will be doing something worthwhile.

This is especially true of placing flags at the gravesite or home of someone whose soldier has died.  That is my small attempt to pay back the kindness I received and continue to receive.  I feel I owe a debt to those who took the time and made the effort to show their deep respect for Brent and their gratitude for his ultimate sacrifice on behalf of them.

I am grateful for the blessing of associating with all of you who are part of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation.  And I am grateful for the opportunities it gives to me to give back to our community.

Thank you, Tammy Taylor