I looked at the calendar and noticed that Veterans Day is coming up next week on Tuesday the 11th. It’s an important holiday and sometimes we tend to forget it. So here I am giving you a reminder. You’re welcome.

Veterans Day is a federal, state and county holiday. So don’t expect to receive mail, or be able to register a vehicle or record a deed (among other things, of course). Banks and credit unions will also be closed.

About 10 days ago, I greeted and shook the hand of a 99-year-old Sanpete gentleman. I don’t know for sure, but Rey G. Sorensen, of Manti, just might be the last World War II survivor in Sanpete County.

Ray was born in May of 1926. As a young man, like millions during that wartime, he had aspirations of joining the fight. He wanted to be part of the Army Air Corps. The timing didn’t work out right for his enlistment with that branch of the military.

But the United States Marines were ready to accept him. That is — if he could get his parents to consent. Rey was too young to enlist on his own. A phone call was made and permission was given.

Ray went through military training and excelled. With guns, he had expert skills and was a “crack shot.” It was by only one shot that he missed being the top marksman in his unit.

Preparations were made for shipping out, with his comrades in arms, to the “Pacific Theater” of the war. Rey was looking forward to “getting into the thick” of it. Then something happened that dashed his goals as a Marine.

A relatively small medical issue occurred. Rey got tonsillitis. No big deal, it seemed — just remove the tonsils.

Imagine this as a tonsillectomy procedure. “Private Sorensen — sit down on that wooden chair there. Sit up straight and open your mouth.”

The medical officer then gave a local anesthetic and brought out the snippers or clippers or a rusty Bowie knife (I might not know all the correct details here). Snips or clips or cuts were made and then — Dang! A cut was made that shouldn’t have been made.

The procedure turned into a much bloodier operation than it should have been. And, of course, the recovery was different and longer than was anticipated.

Shipping out overseas to the war didn’t happen. This was a disappointment to the patriotic, young man from Sanpete. From my perspective, I can’t help but think that the delay could have been providential. Heaven only knows.

Rey’s life could have taken a whole different direction had he shipped out as planned. And there’s that possibility that can’t help but be considered. His life could have been cut short.

To make this story a little shorter, I’ll fast forward to Rey’s reassignment to the payroll department in Southern California. He then had orders to be a recruiter in San Francisco and Seattle.

At least partially due to an encounter with a general, Rey was promoted to the rank of sergeant. His service was commendable. I use that word “commendable” deliberately. He received a special “Letter of Commendation” for the manner in which he served our country.

Rey, of course, went on to have a successful life and good family here in Sanpete. We salute you Sgt. Sorensen!

Of the 16.4 million veterans of World War II, there are 45,418 survivors left, (per the latest statistics I could find.) That’s less than 0.5%.

There are 535 survivors in Utah. Alaska has zero. California, our most populous state, has 5,094. Florida has 3,753. Our neighbor Idaho has 229. You can look all this up on the internet. I do it from time to time. It might be a somewhat morbid hobby of mine.

Learning these statistics does have a purpose, I believe. It is that we need to remember the past and those who have fought and served in the fight for the preservation of our freedom. History is important. Everyone who served has a story.

I hope that we will remember Veterans Day next week. It’s a day to honor and remember all those who have served in the military. If you know a veteran, take a moment and make a call or a visit. Visits can be made to cemeteries as well. Thanks for your service Rey — and all who have served! — Merrill