SALT LAKE CITY—In honor of Veterans Day, Gov. Spencer Cox paid tribute in the Utah State Capitol rotunda to those centenarians in Utah who served their country with distinction. Six were present and more than 20 were not at the event but live throughout the state.

“I’ve been given the privilege and opportunity to honor those who fought, sacrificed and wore the uniform of this great country,” said Cox. “Our forefathers threw off the shackles of the king and took on a great army.”

They were a ragtag group with no formal training who fought for liberty, he said. “Realizing that our rights don't come from a king or government but from God for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Cox said his wife Abby’s late grandfather was an inspiration for him. “He joined the Marines and was stationed in Alaska then went to Iwo Jima. It was a suicide mission. They had to remove the markers the enemy used to calibrate their artillery. There were snipers so the odds of returning home were slim.”

He didn’t want his men to do it so he did it himself, said Cox. “He was shot through the chest and fell into a foxhole. He was presumed dead. His brother was also serving and he disobeyed a direct order not to go forward but miraculously he made it to the foxhole.”

He (grandfather) was not quite dead but close, Cox said. “Through heroic efforts they both made it home. He was a student at USU and when other students saw him they thought they’d seen a ghost because everyone thought he’d died in battle.”

Lee Anderson was at the Capitol with two of his sons. “He’s 102 and he’ll be back here in two years at 104,” said Ron Anderson. “He was in the 1st Ferry Command (in the Army Air Corps during WWII). He flew planes all over. They wanted a pilot who could fly multiple planes.” Before Pearl Harbor he built planes at Lockheed. “He was 18 and his parents wouldn't sign for him to enlist.” Anderson said his father didn’t talk much about the war. “They all did their duty and then got out.” 

Veteran Elden Taylor shakes the Governor’s hand at a ceremony held at the Capitol last week. Photos by Becky Ginos

Other honorees were:

Phyllis Ockerman; Darold William (Bill) Skenandore; Esther Orr; Elden Taylor and Alice Telford. According to her biography, “Alice is a Centenarian Gold Star Mother. As a Gold Star Mother, she bore the immense sacrifice of losing her son, John W. Telford, who was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Additionally, as a young woman, Alice contributed to the war effort by working as a riveter during WWII, skillfully assembling essential aircraft and equipment, which played a pivotal role in securing victory. Her unwavering commitment to both her family and her country embodies the spirit of the Greatest Generation.”

The Governor presented each veteran with a plaque honoring their service.

These are stories that need to be told, he said. “We need to continue to talk about the greatest generation and make sure we create another greatest generation. We’re honoring you. We’re learning from you. We are forever in your debt. The 3.3 million people in Utah thank you. Nothing we do or say can ever repay you for your service and sacrifice so that we can enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness every day because of you.”