Merlin Christiansen returns from Honor Flight

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Merlin Christiansen was welcomed home Sunday from the Honor Flight Utah. He spent two days in Washington DC visiting the memorials and being treated very special by Honor Flight and all those they met in Washington DC and at the airports. Many friends, family and community members met at the Emery Park to honor Merlin. The Emery County Sheriff’s Office and the Emery fire department escorted Merlin from I-70 into Emery. Patriot Riders also accompanied Merlin into town.
Daughter Becky Allred welcomed everyone to the park. She thanked everyone for coming to honor her father Merlin Hugh Christiansen. Merlin’s son Ken said the opening prayer. Allred said her father has been a farmer, coal miner, scout leader and member of the American Legion. “Most of all he is our hero and our friend. Another hero, Grant Nielson went on the honor flight in March and we honor him. We appreciate our country and say thank you to our veterans.
My father went into the Navy on Aug. 10, 1943. He trained at Shoemaker Naval base in California. He was on a hospital ship and once served orange juice to Bob Hope who was on the ship entertaining the troops.”
Christiansen worked on several Naval hospital ships in Vanuatu and the Philippines. He served in the sick officer quarters and helped many who were injured or sick. He was a corpsman and a nurses aide. He achieved many ranks and awards during his service. He was in the service for two years and when the war was won he was released. Three of the four Christiansen brothers served in the Armed Forces.
“Merlin is our hero for the way he’s lived his life every day and the example he’s been to his family all of his 91 years. I am proud he’s my Dad, he’s an example to us all. Thanks to the Honor Flight for giving Dad this opportunity. Thanks to the sheriff’s office for his escort into town. Thanks to the American Legion and the scouts for being here. Thanks to the Patriot Riders who drove to Vegas and then to St. George and accompanied him here. Thanks to everyone participating in this program and to those who set everything up. Thanks to my family for setting up the flags. Thanks to all of you who serve and are serving our country.
Russell Jensen said it was a grand welcome home for Merlin. Jensen served in the army. He said a couple of years back Merlin was recognized for 60 years of continuous service to the American Legion. “He’s done a lot for the Emery Veterans. He gathered the names of all those on the monument here in the park. He has always participated in the parades and we appreciate his work. The American Legion needs younger members to carry on. In my day, the people were drafted and we served proudly. Now, people willingly choose to join the Armed Forces. Our Veterans are proud of the fact they did go and serve the greatest country in the world. We need our young Veterans. The Ferron American Legion is always willing to come and help us out and we appreciate that.”
Emery Mayor Mistie Christiansen spoke next she is also a grand-daughter-in-law to Merlin,”Our Veterans came home and they helped to build our towns we enjoy today.”
Mayor Christiansen asked the young people present what they enjoyed about living in their town. They said the freedoms they enjoy, the outdoors and being able to ride their bikes and other activities.
Mayor Christiansen said, “We didn’t have to go to war, because they did. I challenge you to live your life so that this many people love you. Go to war, if it’s needed. We owe our lives to them. Never disrespect them (Veterans) or the flag they fought for.”
Mayor Christiansen said many Veterans suffered physically, but most carry emotional scars from their time at war. “I am grateful to live in a town that these men helped create,” said Mayor Christiansen.
Sgt. Chase White from the National Guard said the World War II generation is one of the most respected and those in the military today have big shoes to fill. Freedom is not free. It’s hard for those who have never been in battle to realize that. “We thank you for your service, thanks to men and women who answered the call.”
Sen. David Hinkins spoke next he related stories of his relatives who served in the Armed Forces. One friend, Ronald Davis was killed when Sen. Hinkins was a young boy, he was a brother to Dixie Swasey formerly Dixie Davis.
Knowing these Veterans had an effect on Sen. Hinkins as a young boy and their willingness to serve their country. Several gave the ultimate sacrifice. Those who have fought have helped to keep war out of our country. They have answered the call on battlefields far from home. Men and women have served selflessly. Sen. Hinkins told of going to a memorial for the Navajo code talkers from World War II. They helped win the war because the enemy couldn’t break the code. Because Navaho is an unwritten language. “We are fortunate to live here. I am thankful for the wonderful men and women who want to serve. The state of Utah and this nation appreciates you and your service. God bless you and God bless this country,” said Sen. Hinkins.
Grant Nelson who also went on the Honor Flight, is a World War II Veteran. He served in Pearl Harbor and was also present at Tokyo Bay when the Japanese signed the peace treaty. That was the highlight of his military career. When he returned both his parents had passed away while he was in the war. The only thing that kept him going through his military service was to keep Christ in his life.
Merlin Christiansen spoke to the large crowd gathered. He said it was a great surprise to see so many people there. He thanked the sheriff’s office for the escort and the freedom riders. “Thank you all for coming and being here. While in Washington we visited Fort McHenry the birthplace of the National Anthem. There I had the privilege of raising and lowering the flag. Each of those on the Honor Flight received a folded flag to take home with them. It was a rush trip. I like being able to look out and see what my neighbors are doing across the street, but back there there’s so many trees and traffic, you can’t see anything. We had a wonderful time. They took good care of use and gave us wonderful care. If you’re eligible, I encourage you to go if you can. My daughter Rene is wonderful and I appreciate her. They treated us marvelous. God bless America.”
Lance Wright sang, “My country Tis of Thee.”
The freedom riders live in St. George and went to Las Vegas to escort Merlin Christiansen from the airport to St. George where they spent the night and then onto Emery County. Walrus Sabo and Kent Hardman live in St. George and Tigger from Texas flew into Las Vegas where she rode with Walrus from Las Vegas to Emery County.
Rene Dalley is Merlin’s daughter and she was his guardian on this trip to Washington DC. She lives in Springville.
“It was a whirlwind. It was so fun. They turned us loose at the Washington DC Mall and we explored there for a few hours on our own. The most impressive thing to me was the changing of the guard at the Arlington Cemetery at the tomb of the unknown soldier. That cemetery is so big, there were graves everywhere it was just amazing. One of the things I liked the most was just getting to spend that time with my dad. Just him and me. There were 50 Veterans and 50 guardians on the flight and then 10 people from the Honor Flight. The people who put it together are just amazing. When we would walk through the airports, the people would just stop and clap and tell the Veterans thank you. Everyone was crying. At the mall, there were school kids there visiting and they would just part and let the Veterans through and clap for them and say thanks,” said Rene.
Merlin said, “We left from here on June 3 and spent June 4-5th in Washington DC. We visited the monuments and I met a lot of fellow servicemen. We had a great time. I guess my favorite part was seeing the tomb of the unknown soldier and the changing of the guard there. I had no idea that Arlington Cemetery was so enormous. You could see headstones there for miles. Any Veteran can be buried there, but mostly those buried there were killed in war. All the monuments were fabulous. The Lincoln Memorial was wonderful. The statues and the Vietnam War memorial and all the memorials are just amazing. I really enjoyed visiting Fort McHenry. I enjoyed the big cannons there.
“I have six daughters and two sons. I have 28 grandkids. I have lost track of the great-grandkids, last I counted there were 149 but I have three great, great grandkids.
“I think my daughter Rene, applied for me to go, I appreciate her doing that. I appreciate everyone coming here today,” said Merlin Christiansen.
The Utah Honor Flight is a non-profit organization that takes our Heroes to our nation’s Capitol to see the memorials that were built in honor of their service and sacrifice. The current priority of the Utah Honor Flight is to provide their service to men and women from the “GREATEST GENERATION”. As their memorial was built just 11 years ago leaving them, for the most part, unable to travel on their own due to their age, infirmities, or the financial cost at this season in their lives. If you have a Veteran from this generation you would like to sponsor, contact utahhonorflight.org