Naval Academy football coach Ken Niumatalolo offers perspectives about America
Ken Niumatalolo, head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy, offered his four perspectives on America during the Freedom Festival’s Patriotic Service at the Marriott Center in Provo on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Ken Niumatalolo, head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy, offered his four perspectives on America during the Freedom Festival’s Patriotic Service at the Marriott Center in Provo on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
The floor of the Marriott Center is pictured shortly before the start of the Freedom Festival’s Patriotic Service in Provo on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Woods Cross High School student Nathan Mills addressed the Freedom Festival's Patriotic Service audience as the Festival Youth Speech Contest winner at the Marriott Center in Provo on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Members of the Utah Valley Children's Choir sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the Freedom Festival’s Patriotic Service at the Marriott Center in Provo on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Ken Niumatalolo, head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy, offered his four perspectives on America during the Freedom Festival’s Patriotic Service on Sunday.
Niumatalolo told the crowd assembled at Brigham Young University’s Marriott Center in Provo that his perspectives were inspired by those in his life, including relatives and the players that he’s coached.
His first perspective was that he loved his country, and that love was founded on his relatives who served in America’s armed forces. Niumatalolo’s father, brother and uncle all served in the military, in addition to his father-in-law.
Second, he said the United States was, despite the issues it faces, still the greatest country in the world. Niumatalolo’s statement drew a round of applause from the crowd. His daughter’s experience traveling to Europe inspired Niumatalolo’s position — she enjoyed the trip, but was ultimately homesick.
“There’s no other place like the United States of America,” he said.
Niumatalolo’s third perspective was based on seeing his first granddaughter for the first time. All he could see when he was looking at her was beauty, perfection and unconditional love. Based on that, he said he’s choosing to see all that is good and beautiful in our nation.
Niumatalolo dedicated much of his time on his fourth perspective based on the young men who, by choosing to play for Navy, also dedicate themselves to military service.
“These guys are going to protect my country. These guys are going to protect my family and children,” he said.
The coach humorously reflected that these men he’s coached for 10 years have selflessly chosen to protect our freedoms, while he’s often yelling at them about football.
“I coach young men who have volunteered to come to a military academy in a time of world conflict,” Niumatalolo said.
He noted that two men he’s coached have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, while others have served in other capacities as Navy SEALs, Marines and ship commanders. Niumatalolo teared up as he said the greatest thing that’s probably happened to him was meeting a former player in Oahu, Hawaii, who became a ship commander. After speaking, they embraced and the player said, “Coach, I love you.”
“I work with real American heroes — the general American public will not know who they are,” Niumatalolo said.
The coach concluded his remarks by apologizing for crying. He also asked everyone who served or was serving in the Navy to rise. Niumatalolo thanked them and asked for God to continue blessing the United States.
Honoring America
Sunday’s event featured a full slate of patriotic music, performed by the 23rd Army Band of the Utah National Guard and the Utah Valley Children’s Choir. Event chair Gary Garrett noted the choir was about to embark on a 10-day performing tour to Washington, D.C.
Vicki Garbutt, chair of the upcoming Freedom Awards Gala, introduced two of the recipients of the Freedom Award — Raymond Beckham and Adam Paul Steed — who both received standing ovations. Garbutt also highlighted the other recipients — Gabe Adams and Taj Khyber Rowland.
Woods Cross High School student Nathan Mills addressed the audience as the Festival Youth Speech Contest winner. Mills reflected on the great thinkers at the time of the American Revolution who suggested that freedom is coupled with duty. Mills also spoke about the dedication of his great-grandfather who enlisted to serve in World War II when he could’ve avoided being drafted.
Mills said that, as we celebrate the Fourth of July and every day in the freest nation in the world, “Let us not forget we are all in a position to do good.”