TREMONTON – The Borgstrom Brothers Memorial Highway legislation is sitting on Governor Spencer Cox’s desk waiting to be signed as of Friday, Feb, 14.
Governor Spencer Cox dedicated this monument to the fallen Borgstrom bothers on Memorial Day May 27, 2024.
In October, Governor Cox came to Tremonton to announce he wanted to change the name of State Route 102 that runs from Deweyville, Tremonton and Thatcher, to honor the Borgstrom brothers.
He wanted to rename the stretch of road Borgstrom Brothers Memorial Highway.
The governor contacted State Representative Thomas Peterson to introduce the legislation during this session.
Peterson said it was probably one of the bigger pieces of legislation he has worked on while in state government.
The legislation passed with unanimous consent in every part of the legislative process.
“Tremonton Mayor Lyle Holmgren has been very involved in the project from the very beginning,” Peterson said. “He has worked hard to make this happen.”
This idea came from the governor’s office when he called Peterson about it, he said he got excited to work on it.
“This is a big deal. It’s sad it took 80 years for this to happen. This is long overdue,” he said. “It is unfortunate it took so long to recognize the sacrifice the Borgstrom brothers gave for this country. It is also unfortunate we overlooked the value in recognizing all of those who sacrificed their lives for our country.”
Gunda and Alben Borgstrom sit it in their home in Thatcher after the death of their four sons.
The four brothers, and sons of Alben and Gunda Borgstrom, were from Thatcher and served in WWII.
The Borgstrom Brothers Memorial Highway runs near the farm where the brothers lived before going off to war.
The plaque that honors the Borgstrom Brothers reads, “Clyde was killed March 17, 1944, near Guadalcanal. Leroy was killed on Anzio Beachhead June 22, 1944. Rolon was shot down over Germany August 8, 1944.
“Rulon his twin was killed Aug 25, 1944, in D-Day offensive. Boyde, the fifth son was furloughed out of harm’s way. Eldon, the youngest, was never drafted but his father was heard to say, ‘When his country needs him, he will go.’”
On August 25, 1944, just over two weeks after his brother was killed, Rulon was reported missing in action.
After the loss of his brothers, Boyd was discharged from the Marine Corps in October of 1944. He returned to the family farm in Thatcher, Boyd had a difficult time adjusting to life without his brothers.
A crowd fills the Garland Tabernacle for the funeral of the fallen Burgstrom boys June 28, 1948.
On a hot June 25, 1948, four flag-draped coffins filled the front of the Garland tabernacle that was packed with people who wanted to honor the fallen soldiers. Utah’s Governor Herbert B. Maw, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President George Albert Smith, General Mark W. Clark and former Bear River High School Principal Clarence E. Smith paid respects to the four fallen Borgstrom brothers.
The brothers were buried side by side in the Riverview Cemetery. On Memorial Day 2024 the Governor participated in a ceremony at the cemetery in Tremonton dedicating a monument to the fallen brothers.
The Bear River Valley Museum, located at 11 E., has dedicated a large area with photographs and their uniforms honoring the Borgstroms.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024 the Governor participated in a ceremony at Riverview Cemetery dedicating a new monument to the fallen brothers.