Utah National Guard Returns Home After Brief Deployment To D.C.
Jun 8, 2020, 2:42 PM
Members of the Utah National Guard clean the streets of Washington D.C. after protests.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Two hundred Utah National Guard soldiers returned to Utah Sunday after a five-day deployment to the nation’s capital.
The guardsmen were activated at the request of President Trump during the turmoil of last week’s protests over the death of George Floyd in Washington and other cities around the country.
Soldiers from 19th Special Forces Group deployed to D.C. to provide security at national monuments and assist in cleanup efforts, according to a National Guard news release.
“With heavy hearts, we answered the call to our nation’s capital,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Holmer. “We feel grateful for the opportunity to support the Secret Service, the Department of Justice, the D.C. National Guard, the Parks Police and most of all to serve our fellow Americans.”
The Utah guardsmen left for the capital last week, one day after President Trump said he would send in the military to “dominate the streets” if Governor’s did not quell protests.
George Floyd was killed while in the custody of Minneapolis police, sparking protests not only in the United States, but worldwide.
“Seeing the aftermath from the events of last week, we felt a tremendous sense of pride to be able to repair some of our monuments,” said Col. Holmer. “I’m proud of the professionalism and maturity with which our Utah guardsmen conducted themselves. We are happy that the situation has deescalated and that we are able to come home.”
The unit was already preparing for a deployment overseas before the president’s request.
