The Brief
- 16 million Americans served in World War II but only about 45,000 are still alive, and those numbers are declining rapidly every year.
- At 105-years-old, Stan Nelson of Anoka is believed to be the oldest living World War II veteran in Minnesota.
- Nelson led the “Let’s Play Hockey” call at the Minnesota Wild game on Veterans Day.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Stan Nelson served in the U.S. Navy for three years and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, and now he is being honored as the oldest living World War II veteran in Minnesota.
‘I sat back and reminisced’
Local perspective:
At 105-years-old, Nelson has achieved his fair share of accomplishments, but few are as special as leading an arena full of hockey fans to cheer for the Minnesota Wild.
“I’m really not a hockey fan, so I don’t understand the game. But I’m sure I’ll enjoy watching the skaters skate and bump each other around the rink. That’ll be fun,” said Nelson before the game.
A life of service
The backstory:…