Foreword

When someone you care about asks you to lend your voice to their life’s work, you pause—not out of hesitation, but out of respect. Respect for the weight of what they have written, and for the responsibility of introducing it to others.

Dennis Hatch Christen’s The Red Wagon: The Theft of America is a reflection of a remarkable life—one shaped by service, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose. From his early years as a U.S. Army veteran to decades spent in film, television, and humanitarian work across the world, Dennis has lived a life that gives weight to his perspective.

What began as a message to his family became something broader—a reflection meant for a nation and for future generations. Dennis writes as someone who has stood inside history. His experiences—whether in military service, international storytelling, or cultural engagement—have given him a vantage point few possess, and he approaches this work with a sense of responsibility to share what he has seen and learned.

I have had the privilege of knowing Dennis not just through his words, but through his life. I have seen his commitment firsthand—his engagement with leaders, his involvement in meaningful conversations, and his enduring concern for the direction of our country.

The photographs included here reflect a small part of that journey, capturing moments with respected leaders and longtime friends, including Senator Mike Lee, President Donald Trump, and former Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

Dennis also comes from a family connected to public service, as a cousin of former United States Senator Orrin Hatch—adding further context to the perspective he brings to these pages.

There is a clear caution woven throughout this book. It is not written to alarm, but to awaken. Dennis challenges us to pay attention—to think more carefully, to question more deeply, and to recognize that the strength of a nation is never guaranteed. It must be preserved, protected, and renewed by each generation.

At its heart, this book is about stewardship—what one generation passes to the next in values, responsibility, and awareness. It is also a call to action. The future is not something we inherit passively; it is something we shape through our choices, our engagement, and our willingness to stand for what matters.

In a world that moves quickly, this is a voice that asks us to pause, reflect, and then move forward with purpose.

—Shawn King