UTAH JAZZ
Former Jazzman Thurl Bailey Shares Message Of Encouragement With Veterans Amid Pandemic
May 14, 2020, 10:30 AM | Updated: 10:31 am

Former Utah Jazz power forward Thurl Lee Bailey sings the national anthem prior to a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Creighton Bluejays on February 18, 2020 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah Jazz player Thurl Bailey shared a message of encouragement and love with Utah’s military veterans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bailey’s message was shared via a video on the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs’ social media accounts.
“I hope all of you veterans are doing well during this very difficult time and I hope you’re healthy and feeling the love from all those around you,” Bailey said. “Please take care of yourselves as we navigate through this pandemic together. The Utah Jazz and myself send our love and wish the best for you. Take care. Thank you for your service.”
Shout out to @utahjazz's @bigTbailey for sharing his #HappinessforHeroes message with the residents at our four Utah Veterans Homes.
Share your own message of hope and encouragement for our Veterans during COVID19 at https://t.co/W0tHeYSVwG #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/QzcvvdPGsV
— Utah Veteran & Military Affairs (@Utah_DVMA) May 11, 2020
In addition to Bailey’s video message, the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs encouraged people to submit their own artistic, musical or other support for Veterans through the Happiness for Heroes website.
Happiness for Heroes
Happiness for Heroes is a program that “invites community members to rally their friends, family, and coworkers to send messages of support, encouragement, and gratitude to the residents and Utah’s four Veterans Homes.”
People wishing to participate can submit messages and well-wishes in the forms of videos, letters, postcards, pictures, and artwork.
Videos and other electronic messages should be emailed to veterans@utah.gov.
Other materials can be sent in an unlicked envelope to the following address:
Happiness for Heroes, Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs, PO Box 581217, SLC UT 84158.
Mail will be cleared by an infection prevention team before they are passed out to veterans.
For more information, visit the Happiness for Heroes website.
Former Utah Jazz and NBA player Thurl Bailey is the host of the Thurl Talk Podcast. After more than a decade playing in the NBA as Big T for the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, Thurl has seen a thing or two. And he still has things he wants to learn. He’s a musician, father, husband, and friend and he’s interested in talking with people. That’s what he’ll do each week on Thurl Talk: share his own life experiences and learn from the stories of others. Whether it’s about his life on the court, behind a mic or sitting at the kitchen counter, count on getting to know the real Thurl Bailey and maybe learn a little something from his friends.
Subscribe to the Thurl Talk Podcast here.
Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.