SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 21 ~ January 13th, 2025

Super Monday Message

Alben Borgstrom was the son of Swedish immigrants. His family came to Utah in search of a better life. Alben met and married Gunda, an immigrant from Norway. They settled into Box Elder county working hard on the farms of others until they could get a farm of their own started. Alben and Gunda had plans for a big family. They would have ten children, but times were difficult and their first tragedy was losing their oldest son to appendicitis at just 9 years old. 

They raised their other 9 children through the great depression and when America entered World War II they had five more sons old enough to serve in the military. All five sons would answer the call and take different positions in the military. The oldest serving son, Clyde Borgstrom, was a heavy equipment operator. Clyde used bulldozers to clear runways and make roads. On March 17, 1944 he died in an accident when he was crushed by a tree. His family received his Bronze Star for valor for a previous battle where he had been on combat duty.

 The Borgstroms next son, Leroy, was a medic and not permitted to carry a gun. On June 22, 1944 he rushed along an Italian beach caring for the wounded as the Allied Forces tried to break inland. Leroy put a soldier over shoulders and began to carry him to safety. In the process Leroy was shot and killed. The Borgstrom family also received a Bronze Star for his courage.

Weeks later the fourth son, Rolon, was making daily flights over Europe in an American bomber plane. On each of the daily trips Rolon was stationed in a gunners tower in the bomber firing on enemy aircraft. On one such flight on August 8th, 1944 Rolon was hit by an enemy gunner and would later die of his wound in England. The Borgstrom family was presented with the Air Medal for heroism. 

Just 17 days after Rolon died in England, his twin brother Rulon was reported missing in La Dreff, France. Rulon had survived the D-Day beach invasion. When Rulon’s death was confirmed, the Borgstrom family was presented with their third Bronze Star. Upon Rulon’s death politicians in Utah began lobbying for the safe return of the last Borgstrom brother in the service, Boyd. A short time later he would be returned home.

The bodies of Boyd’s four brothers who died in the war would not make it back to Utah until 1948. When the bodies arrived a large funeral service was planned. As Gunda Borgstrom sat by an American Major General at the funeral she asked him if her 7th and youngest son, who had been too young to serve in World War II, would still be called into the service. The general had to reluctantly tell her that their youngest son may still be called upon, but if that happened he would ensure the boy was stationed in the states. Alben Borgstrom overheard the whispered conversation and he leaned into it to say, “Mother, I have overheard your conversation with the general about our youngest and I will make no deals about his service. When his country needs him, he will go.”

The youngest son did not have to serve in the military and Boyd did not have to return to the service. The Borgstrom Brothers were buried in Tremonton Utah with all the military honors. A large memorial to their service was dedicated there in 2001. As a result of the Borgstrom brothers, the military created a lone survivor policy. The policy states that if two or more brothers die in the service and only one remains, the surviving brother will be released from the service. 

We live in the greatest country in the world. It did not become the greatest without extreme sacrifice. We have many reasons to be grateful for our situation and many reasons to serve our country however we can. Have a great week 21.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

  • A super high five to Principal Fautin. She’s been recovering from an unknown sickness and trying to work from a hospital room for the last week. We’re grateful for all she does for Piute County School District. An additional super high five to Janette Lee, our newest teacher at OES, for a great start last week. Her many years of teaching experience helped keep 1st and 2nd grade moving forward.
  • A super high five to all that helped organize the small town throwdown last week. The combined school event with Panguitch was a unique event and we appreciate those that helped make it happen.

Other Super Information

Super Weekly Schedule

  Monday
Jan. 13th
Tuesday
Jan. 14th
Wednesday
Jan. 15th
Thursday
Jan. 16th
Friday
Jan. 17th
Saturday
Jan. 18th
PHS Day "A" Day “B” Day "A" Day “B” Day No School No School
PHS  Homecoming Week  WR Piute @ Wayne

BBB Milford @ Piute
King/Queen Assembly

GBB Piute @ Wayne
WR Parowan @ Piute

BBB Soph. Tour @ BVHS
GBB Piute @ Milford

Cheer Devisionals
WR Milford Tour.
BBB Soph. Tour @ BVHS

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Spirit Thursday

   
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Piute County School District
500 North Main - P.O. Box 69
Junction, Utah 84740-0069
Phone: (435)-577-2912 - Fax: (435)-577-2561
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