Community sets up flags for fallen Utah Marine

MIDVALE, Utah — A community came together early Saturday morning to create a patriotic visual of support for the family of fallen Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover.

Dozens gathered at the Hillcrest High School football field in Midvale to place 500 flags.

“It was a great way for individuals, including students, to make a difference and feel like they were positively contributing to our community,” said Rebecca Martin, PTSA president for Hillcrest High School.

Martin said Hoover was on the football team when he attended Hillcrest High School. He graduated from there in 2008.

Hoover’s family told KSL-TV that their son started playing football at age eight and described him as a natural leader.

Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover was one of 13 U.S. service members killed by a suicide bombing in Afghanistan on Aug. 26.

Martin coordinated the student volunteers and said 75 students came out to secure the flags.

“Every one of these flags were ziptied with love, gratitude and appreciation,” said Jennie Taylor. “There is something healing in being able to give back to another family.”

In 2018, Brent Taylor, Jennie’s husband, left his position as the Mayor of North Ogden and went to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.

In November of that same year, Major Taylor was killed in action.

“There is nothing we can do or say that can fix this. No American Flag that is going to make the pain go away, and yet, we can make sure we are not alone in our grief and sorrow,” said Jennie Taylor.

Taylor spoke of the importance of community outreach.

“Sgt. Hoover showed up. He worked. He sacrificed, and today, we had a community of mostly young people, who came to honor that legacy,” she said.

Sgt. Hoover was in his eleventh year serving in the military and his third deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed.

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the community is invited to attend a celebration of life, in honor of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, at the Hillcrest High School football field.