Editorial printed in the Desert News:

I am a United States veteran. I pledged to give my life for this country's policies and for its land. I feel as a veteran I have an obligation to do what I can to safeguard our public lands.

Having served in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm, I saw firsthand destruction of the environment at the hands of men.

Having served as a scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America, I firmly believe in the Boy Scouts adherence to the philosophies of being good stewards of the Earth and leaving a place better than we found it.

Presently, thousands of Utah's sons and daughters are serving our country overseas, soon to be joined by our own 222nd Artillery. As I did during my time of service, they are thinking of home. They are thinking of the families, friends and landscapes they will return home to one day, from the beauty of the San Rafael Swell, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Cedar Mountain, to Arches and the red rocks of Moab, and every acre in between. These are lands that are worth fighting for. We have a duty to do make sure the land that fills their memories is here when they come home.

My lovely wife is an Andrus of pioneer stock. The people of Utah have a unique and proud heritage tied to the land, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping; this is who we are. Once on a hike with my Scouts, I read in the ledger at the trail head the truest description ever, "God is a magnificent artist." I testify that His artistry is at its best in Utah.

To a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine, the thought of coming home to the land you know and love can keep your spirit alive.

Unfortunately, some of our troops will return from war zones with physical and emotional battle scars. Our public lands can help heal those wounds. Utah's beloved outdoors can be a place for healing, a place to reconnect with family and friends, a place to enjoy the activities of their youth.

Public land use means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. That's the great thing about our country - there is room for everyone. My family loves to hike in Zion and have our family reunion camping in Capital Reef every year. My friends like to ride ATVs, fish and hunt. We may not agree on how to spend our time on the land, but we agree on the most important matter - our land must be respected and safeguarded for future generations.

One of the biggest misunderstandings about protecting our land is that it will mean "closing it off" to those who most enjoy using it - that's just not true! There are protected public lands all over Utah that hunters, fisherman, hikers, horseback riders, and campers use every day. We have cherry-stem roads for off-roaders and others to access wilderness areas and the roads surrounding these areas are open for all to enjoy. Saying access is cut off is not telling the whole story. This issue shouldn't be - and isn't - all or nothing.

Today I am calling on Utah's county commissioners and congressional delegation to continue to work to safeguard Utah's public lands. I'm calling on our leaders to bring everyone who is affected by public land-use policy together, and to lead the discussion and find solutions that are respectful and mindful of our lands.

We must continue to be responsible stewards of the beautiful land God has given us, for ourselves and for the men and women who fight for it every day.

Lawrence Daniel is a former captain with the USAF Reserves, having served on active duty with the 4409th composite wing as Chief of Intelligence for the 552nd AWAC wing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.