The people of Eagle Mountain are truly exceptional, as evident from the heartfelt comments shared by their fellow community members. They embody the spirit of good citizenship and are dedicated to serving others. Mike Johnson, a former Marine Corps member, stands out for his unwavering commitment to his country, state, and community. Not only has he served his country with honor, but he also continues to serve as a valuable asset in his role of helping veterans find employment. Mike’s involvement in various community initiatives, such as the Parks and Rec Board and his non-profit organization, demonstrates his passion for making Eagle Mountain a better place.
During the Pony Express Days of 2023, there was a form that Eagle Mountain City sponsored that allowed residents to nominate people who they felt should be the Grand Marshall to lead the Pony Express Days parade. Here is a list of those that were nominated but were not selected to be the Grand Marshall.
Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson would be a wonderful Grand Marshal for Eagle Mountain Pony Express Days because he embodies all aspects of a good citizen and community member. Mike is known in the community for being friendly, loyal, and service-oriented. He has served his country, state, and community faithfully and set a great example for us all to follow. Mike served in the United States Marine Corp and truly embodies its motto of being “Always Faithful.” Following active duty, Mike later returned to the Middle East as a civilian to help close bases in Afghanistan from 2012 – 2013. He also helped dispose of 600 metric tons of Syrian chemical weapons in 2014. He currently works for the State of Utah helping veterans find good jobs to provide for themselves and their families. He also works with employers, helping them to be more veteran-friendly in their hiring practices.
He and his family have lived in Eagle Mountain for over 16 years, and he is active in serving in our city. He has served on the Parks and Rec Board since 2018 and also began a non-profit organization to help bring a dog park to our great city. During his time on the Parks and Rec board, he has helped with many impactful projects including improving the maintenance of unimproved open space, helping with the upkeep of parks, and working in conjunction with the Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance on the implementation of the wildlife corridor. Fun fact: you can also catch him in disguise as the grumpy Grinch at Eagle Mountain’s Christmas Village. He not only serves in the community as a whole but also in his own neighborhood. His neighbors know they can always count on him for help when they need it. Mike is respected, looked up to, and admired throughout the community for his kind heart, values, and drive to serve those around him. He is one of Eagle Mountain’s star citizens.
Jarom Becar
Mr. Becar has been a patient and caring leader for his employees, students, and the community. He is a great example to all of us and deserves to be recognized in a special way.
Mr. Jarom Becar goes above and beyond. There’s administrators, and then there’s Jarom Becar. He cares deeply for his students and his staff. He is a strong member of the community and his reputation for kindness is well-earned. He inspires loyalty and admiration among all those who associate with him. Honestly, he’s a good man – a very good man. He loves Eagle Mountain and he loves the people here. I cannot think of person more deserving of the recognition than Jarom Becar. He embodies everything that makes Eagle Mountain wonderful.
Ben Lyne (The Sign Guy)
Ben is a positive force for good in EM and beyond. He runs with a (very well loved) sign that reads “I Believe in You” that has attracted other people to perform similar acts.
Ben Lyne is ‘the sign guy’. He runs with the sign above his head “I believe in you”. I witness over and over people on facebook asking who that guy is and how he lifted them up. Ask anyone.
About a year and a half ago I was recovering from Covid a 4th time. I’ve run in countless 10k’s 1/2 marathons, and even ran a full marathon. With all the running I do I was considering giving up running because I’m a bigger bodied person, and Covid had taken a real toll on me and was messing more with my depression. One day I was driving to work a year and a half ago and I’d seen this guy running down SR73 with a sign saying “I believe in you”. Instantly I was pummeled with emotion. I had to meet this amazing man so I did. I’d been on many runs I had to quit because my breathing wasn’t correct and I was worried I couldn’t make it again. He coached and helped me through a very bad time in my life and made a sign I still carry. So I try to be like Ben. Ben single handedly has affected more people positively than many could ever ask. Also if you would consider him for the Grand Marshall it would help him get the message out even more because folks really – more than ever – need to believe in themselves. I know many would vote for him but don’t know how to do this due to not having his contact info like I do, so please take that into consideration. Thank you so very much!
Running with “I Believe in You” sign
David Curneal
David runs friends in need animal rescue and he helps so much with volunteers and the care for creatures and the residents of our town. He’s always helping others.
Melissa Clark
Melissa has worked tirelessly for this city for many years. She started by being involved with city events, being on the parks and rec board, and helping with emergency preparedness for the city. She helped found the Eagle Mountain Arts Alliance. She served on city council from 2018-2021 and did so much to help the city and its citizens. She ran for mayor and garnered the support and admiration of so many. She now is the president of the chamber of commerce and works endlessly to help support and build up the community through networking people and businesses. Melissa loves this city like no one else.
Melissa has been an integral part of our community for years. She served as a member of city council and now serves the businesses of our community as the director of the Chamber of Commerce. She is the epitome of what a resident of Eagle Mountain should strive to be. Her love for and dedication to this community is unmatched.
Brittney Hansen
Brittney and I live in and love Eagle Mountain. She is a community leader, always looking for ways to be involved and helpful! She is quick to jump into serve the individual needs to neighbors, strangers at the store, or friends across town. She elevates our community by being a middle school teacher. I cannot think of a more noble job than showing up everyday for a group of kids at an age where love and acceptance is so needed. In addition she always works as a mental health therapist. Her commitment to bettering the lives of all those she comes in contact is palpable within seconds of meeting her. She is a great example of what it means to be an eagle mountain citizen!
Erika Douglas
Erika has been active as a volunteer for many years. She has helped with military and veteran recognition in our city for over a decade. Additionally, she has been a force on community councils for schools and in PTA’s regardless of children’s attendance or not, advocating for students with the district and aiding parents in advocating for children with special needs. She tirelessly puts the needs of others at the forefront and has fought to help citizens in Eagle Mountain. She is the epitomy of modern pioneer spirit by showing her commitment to helping her beloved community and its people be seen, heard, and cared for.
Tiffany Ulmer
Tiffany has long been one to think outside of herself. She is the person who rides on horseback in various costumes, depending on the time of year (headless horseman near Halloween, Santa, dinosaur, Easter bunny, etc.) She even did this during the height of COVID-19 and cheered the hearts of many of us in our community who were not going out much or who were ill. When she notices someone trying to snap a picture from their car she stops, poses and waves. She truly has the community spirit of thinking of others and has brought much joy.
Sandy Ring
Sandy (Sandra) Ring is one of the absolute most caring, service oriented person I know – along with the support of her husband, Lee. Sandy drove school bus for the cedar fort, Fairfield and white hills area years and years ago and has loved the kids since. She has been a great influence to many youth she and Lee have served over their years of living in White hills. Sandy has served many years with countless hours with the seniors of Eagle mountain. She helps serve lunch to the seniors regularly and spends so much time making the seniors and youth and anyone in between feel seen and loved. She is the first to offer a hand and jumps at any opportunity to serve and help others. I believe her and her husband Lee deserve the recognition for all of the live and service they show out amazing community!
Marie Lewis
Mother of Kaelin Lewis; the pedestrian killed while walking across the street. Kaelin was raised in EM. He attended local schools and had just finished boot camp for the Marines. He was going to visit a friend when he was killed in a tragic accident.
Marie and her spouse Darryl both served in the military and volunteer in their community. They exemplify everything there is about being a family centered on service.
Liz Evans
Whether it be planning and organizing events with the Arts Alliance, sewing costumes for the school play, serving her neighbors, or going above and beyond for the students she teaches at Frontier, she always makes sure the unseen are seen. She has a deep love for her community and pushes herself to make our city the kind of place where people want to live.
Tom Sharp
Since Tyson Foods announced they were building in Eagle Mountain, Tom and his wife have made every effort in being involved and committed to the community. They have helped the FFA program at the high school, their children are very active within the community and most of all, Tom does a wonderful job at running the Tyson Foods plant. He insures that team members are being taken care of and provides a wonderful work environment. Tyson Foods as a whole has done a great job at providing jobs and donations to our community as well.
Ben Devoe
He deserves the award for all the reasons and categories listed. He jumped in a pile of mud to help a neighbor fix a water main break. He helped me weed my yard. The list is infinite…
Shon Reed
Shon is an amazing man and has done so much for Eagle Mountain and it’s wildlife. He truly deserves to be honored and recognized!!!
Kevin O’Donnal
Kevin is a retired firefighter from Washington State. He and his wife Debbie moved to Eagle Mountain to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Since making Eagle Mountain his home, Kevin has been involved in our community by actively participating in City Council and Planning Meetings. He encourages others to attend especially regarding concerns with transportation and public safety. I am certain his years of service as a firefighter have impressed upon him the importance of making sure our community remains a safe place for Eagle Mountain residents with appropriate emergency egress.
Kevin has also been heavily involved in the community through his church group and service. He has helped counsel youth and families as local leader. Kevin would be one of the last people to seek any recognition for his kindness and good works. His humility and goodness are the exact reasons why Kevin O’Donnal should be our next Grand Marshal. Kevin exemplifies the kind of residents we are in Eagle mountain; good people who stand up for good causes and who do the right things for our neighbors and community. Thank you
NOTE: These quotes are taken directly from a document that was obtained by Cedar Valley Sentinel from Eagle Mountain City via GRAMA request.
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.