Utah honors 100-year-old veterans ahead of Veterans Day

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah first lady Abby Cox's grandfather served as a Marine in World War II and was tasked with removing markers Japanese military members placed on Iwo Jima to calibrate their artillery, Gov. Spencer Cox said.

Deciding that he did not want to put his men in harm's way, he embarked on the perilous mission alone, knowing that he may not come back.

"The odds of returning home were pretty slim," Cox said.

He started advancing and was eventually shot through the chest, fell into a foxhole and was presumed dead by basically everyone — except his brother, who was serving underneath him.

His brother disobeyed an order not to go forward, miraculously venturing into the foxhole where he found the elder brother, who wasn't quite dead but "close," as Cox put it.

"With many heroic efforts, (he) was able to save his life, save his brother's life. ... They both made it home," Cox said. "We need those stories. We need to continue to talk about the greatest generation and make sure there are greater generations to come."

It's events like the Utah Centenarian Veterans Ceremony that Cox says are crucial to maintain this understanding of the past.

"The Star Spangled Banner" echoed through the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday afternoon before the ceremony attended by Cox and representatives from the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs and George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The leaders paid tribute to and honored members of Utah's veteran community who are 100 years old.

"This is a kickoff to this Veterans Day weekend," said Taylor Ricks, director of communications for the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs. "There's not a better way to do it than be right here in the Capitol with these special veterans."

Darold "Bill" Skenandore was one of the veterans honored Friday. The 100-year-old served as an Army medic.

"I appreciate the patriotism," Skenandore said of the event. "I've always been into patriotism since I was in service. It's very honorable as far as I'm concerned."

Skenandore's daughter, Susan Carr, agreed with Cox's sentiments about the importance of sharing stories.

"I wished I would've talked to my grandma and grandpa about things they went through. They went through a lot of discrimination," Carr said, adding that her father is of Indigenous heritage being both Sioux from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and from the Oneida Nation in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"Both this program today and the governor's centenarian luncheon (were) just absolutely beautiful programs and such a great spirit there. Something that we'll never forget," Carr said.

Ahead of Veterans Day weekend, Skenandore said he hopes for more peace in the world.

"I just wish that we would have peace for a moment. It seems like it's every couple of years we have to go to war. If we can hang out for 10 years without a war, that would be great." Skenandore said.

Still, he looks back on his life fondly.

"I've always said, for many, many years, 'It's been a good life,'" Skenandore said. "It's been a good trail and I've enjoyed it."

Speaking at the ceremony, Cox said he feels that, far too often, we forget what happened before us. He thinks it's a huge mistake.

"We are rooted as a nation by those who came before us, those who have given us the privileges and the opportunities that we have today, and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to those who fought, who sacrificed, who served or wore the uniform of the military of this great country," Cox said.

It was an honor to attend a ceremony today recognizing Utah's centenarian veterans. Our centenarian veterans have a legacy of dedication, patriotism and resilience that we are so grateful for.

As we recognize Veterans Day tomorrow, let us all be thankful for the men and women… pic.twitter.com/qZmZGn4J8M

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) November 10, 2023

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