The family of Brent Taylor, the North Ogden mayor and Army National Guard officer killed in Afghanistan in November, received an unexpected Christmas gift: A charity has paid off the family’s mortgage.
Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named in memory of a firefighter killed on 9/11, made the announcement live Thursday morning on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”
“It’s been very comforting to know we’re not mourning alone, and we are very aware we’re not the only Gold Star family,” said Jennie Taylor, Taylor’s widow. “One of my first worries, of course you have the emotional loss, but Brent’s our provider. I stay home with our seven children. That’s where I want to be. I don’t want them to lose him to war, and then all of a sudden I have to go work a couple of jobs.”
Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother, handed Jennie Taylor the payoff document, saying that he hoped it “relieves one small burden” from the family. “The family can now look forward to celebrating Christmas in their home for years to come, just the way Brent would have wanted them to.”
Jennie Taylor told the hosts that “Fox & Friends” was one of her husband’s favorite TV shows.
The foundation’s Gold Star Family Home Program aims to provide mortgage-free homes to 1,000 families who have lost loved ones while serving their country, either in the military or as first responders. The foundation has committed to raise $250 million for that cause.
Taylor, 39, was killed Nov. 3 while training an Afghan Army commando battalion near Kabul. It was his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, and his fourth deployment in his 10-year military career.
