‘It changed his world’: Dixie High salutes former JROTC leader with dedication of obstacle course

Written by Nick Yamashita
April 17, 2023

ST. GEORGE — On Saturday, Dixie High School, city officials and Air Force junior ROTC members from 10 schools gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication of the Senior Master Sergeant Morgan Hager Memorial Obstacle Course in honor of the former JROTC leader who died in September 2020.

(L-R): Robyn Hager and St. George City Councilwoman Danielle Larkin cut the ribbon at the Air Force junior ROTC obstacle course dedication, St. George, Utah, April 15, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The ceremony took place during the state Air Force junior ROTC fitness competition, known as the Dixie O’Course Challenge. With the family of Hager in attendance, local leaders, community members and former cadets of the military program were able to pay their respects and observe the ribbon-cutting at the newly revamped obstacle course.

“This program was very important to Morgan,” Robyn Hager, wife of Morgan Hager said. “It changed his world.”

One of the current Dixie High Air Force junior ROTC leaders, Lt. Col. Ken Field, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and summarized Morgan Hager’s life and career.

Afterward, St. George City Councilwoman Danielle Larkin made a declaration on behalf of Mayor Michele Randall — declaring April 15 as Senior Master Sgt. Morgan Hager Day.

The ribbon was then cut by Robyn Hager and Larkin.

The Hager family spent time reliving memories of their father and grandfather, as well as racing against one another for the best time on the obstacle course.

Morgan Hager enlisted in the military in 1985 after growing up in Washington State and married Robyn Hager that same year. He then served in the United States Air Force for 25 years before retiring.

During his 25 years of military service, he spent time both nationally and internationally. A few places noted by his family included Louisiana, Alaska, Arizona, Germany, South Korea and Greece.

“We really took the time to make sure we took all of the cultures in,” Robyn Hager said.

In 2012, after settling in Southern Utah, he moved into a position of leadership at the local JROTC program.

He served the cadets of St. George, as well as all over the state, until his death on Sept. 21, 2020, of a heart attack.

“It was his passion and he really loved all of these kids,” Robyn Hager said.

Among the characteristics of Morgan Hager continuously brought up during the ceremony was his fanaticism toward Chuck Norris, especially Chuck Norris’ quotes.

Dixie High School dedicated JROTC obstacle course in memorial of former leader SMSgt. Morgan Hager, St. George, Utah, unspecified date and location | Photo courtesy of the Hager Family, St. George News

As part of the process of honoring their father and grandfather, all of Hager’s children, as well as some grandchildren, wore shirts with such quotes.

One shirt read, “Chuck Norris can dribble a bowling ball.”

Another read, “Bigfoot is still hiding because he once saw Chuck Norris walking in the mountains.”

That specific shirt led to the conversation of another of Hager’s interests: Bigfoot.

Hager had been on a Bigfoot hunt of his own, his family said.

After talking about JROTC, Norris, Bigfoot, Harleys and his love for his cadets, the family put it all on the line to see which of his children or grandchildren were the best at the newly dedicated obstacle course.

The competitors included family members Erin Hager, Lindsey Garcia, Leanna Hager, Jovie Orsburn, Logan Hager and Luke Hager.

In the end, it was his son Luke Hager crossing the finish line with a time of one minute and 40 seconds. He held the official course record on the old course when he was in high school, even though he was never in the program.

Hager’s granddaughter, Orsburn, finished in just over three minutes to lead the women.

The new course has been fully redesigned with additions including monkey bars, an Army crawling net, balance beams and walls. The local Lowe’s Home Improvements, Chick-fil-A and Gate Solutions Inc. donated time and supplies for the course.

The Hager family expressed thanks to Dixie High School, the JROTC program and all those who supported the project. Anyone interested in supporting the JROTC program should contact the Washington County School District.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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