Estimated learn time: 2-3 minutes
MONTICELLO — On any given weekend in Utah, chances are high good yow will discover a 5K or 10K to run or stroll. To essentially perceive why a run in San Juan County Saturday morning was so vital, you need to return 5 years.
In August of 2017, the physique of 27-year-old Army Employees Sgt. Aaron Butler returned dwelling to Monticello. He was a Inexperienced Beret with the U.S. Army Special Forces and was killed in Afghanistan.
His funeral was an occasion in Monticello, the place everyone appears to know everyone — and the place Butler grew as much as be a four-time state wrestling champion.
On Saturday, the run and ceremony had been hosted to recollect and honor him. His mom mentioned the household does it on a regular basis anyway.
“We now have our little shrine to Aaron, and now we have our moments,” mentioned Laura Butler. “We discuss him, check with him, inform the humorous tales.”
Nevertheless, to have so many individuals locally nonetheless desirous about her son and his sacrifice, that is actually particular to the household.
“We recognize it and the neighborhood,” mentioned Laura Butler with tears in her eyes, “at all times reaches out.”
The run wasn’t nearly Butler, although. Photos of others who died serving our nation lined the working routes to encourage runners to maintain going and never surrender. These are phrases Butler lived by.
“He was a really particular particular person. He was a particular warfighter. He was a particular pal and teammate,” mentioned Dan Nelson.
Nelson was injured in the identical explosion that killed Butler. Not solely had been they mates, however Nelson was additionally Butler’s commanding officer. He mentioned he nonetheless feels the burden of Butler not coming dwelling alive.
“I assume I am presupposed to, proper?” mentioned Nelson. “My hope is as an alternative of letting it destroy me, I am hoping to do one thing optimistic in Aaron’s reminiscence.”
So, Nelson began the Aaron Butler Memorial Basis. It is the muse that organized this occasion for Aaron and all these troopers within the photos.
That is the fourth time the muse has held a working occasion, however it’s often held in Boise the place Nelson lives.
This yr, for the primary time, the muse determined to carry it in Monticello.
“We wished to convey this occasion to Monticello and honor the village that raised us,” mentioned Adam Butler, who’s Aaron Butler’s brother and on the board of administrators for the muse. “They are saying it takes a village, and we had been fortunate. We received a superb one.”
It is this village the place, even 5 years later, persons are actually remembering certainly one of their very own.
“He’s not forgotten right here,” mentioned Laura Butler. “Everybody nonetheless is aware of him, and we recognize it greater than they know.”
