User:MantisZeroOne

User:MantisZeroOne/Sandbox Nils Anton Sorenson, October 27, 1923 - September 30, 2003

A truly honorable man who holds a high character centered on patriotism, citizenship and family. In 2003, the State of Texas recognized these three significant traits by awarding SMSgt (Ret) Nils Anton Sorenson the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.

Texan Nils Anton Sorenson has made numerous significant and lasting contributions to the nation, the State of Texas, its citizens, the local communities and his family during a lifetime of 70 years.

•	As a patriot, he has served his country in an active duty military status during the occupation of Japan and the Korean conflict and continued his service as a full-time technician and part-time reservist for over 30-years in the Texas Air National Guard. Born on October 27, 1932 in Athens (Henderson County), Texas, Nils Sorenson spent his youth rising out of the Great Depression and residing between his birthplace and the Gulf Coast town of LaPorte, where he was surrounded by both the agricultural and industrial support base for World War Two and the associated fervor of national patriotism. In 1948, at the young age of 15, Nils Sorenson followed his patriotic calling and enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard as a radio operator in the Field Artillery Battery at Athens, Texas. He served for six months, completing the international Morse code and radio school at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, but he was honorably discharged after the Guard discovered he was too young to serve. As soon as he turned 17, he enlisted again, this time in the United States Air Force and was assigned as a welder in the 6402 Air Base Squadron at Kissarazue Air Base, Japan. Although he was only 17 years old, he was the shop supervisor and managed 14 personnel there and continued the same level of responsibilities after he transferred to Brady Field in southern Japan and during his final assignment at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. In 1952, he received an honorable discharge and began a brief civilian interim of work as a station controller with the Southern Pacific Railroad headquartered out of Houston, Texas. As a station controller, he applied his Morse code skills attained previously with the Army Guard and responsibly managed the movement of freight and passenger rail operations throughout southeast Texas. In 1957, he resumed his military ties as a full-time technician with the Texas Air National Guard. As a member of the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group (FIG) stationed at Ellington Field, he worked as a civilian technician Monday thorough Friday repairing aircraft, and continued the same in an active reserve capacity one weekend per month and two weeks each year for over 30-years. He rose though the ranks and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. Throughout three decades of service, he served as the leader of the Ellington chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees, the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron’s ‘Ace-in-the-Hole’ Club, the Ellington chapter of the National Guard Association of Texas and finally as the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Graduate Association chapter president. He represented the State of Texas well by earning the distinction of honor graduate from both the Egress systems school at Chanute Air Force Base and the NCO Academy at McGee-Tyson Air National Guard Base. In 1979, his commander (the late Lt Col Landon) said the following about his performance in support of the 147th’s nomination for a national-level award: “SMSgt Sorenson excels above his peers by setting the example. He has guided and formed his section into the most outstanding and efficient work force within the maintenance complex. As a born leader, he has inspired his subordinates to always take the initiative in the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities. Under his enthusiastic and aggressive guidance, the fabrication section and assigned personnel enjoy a harmonious rapport with other branches, sections and shops within the 147th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron and other squadrons assigned to the 147th FIG. SMSgt Sorenson’s positive “can do” attitude, military professionalism and superb job knowledge has earned him respect from his supervisors and peers, co-workers, subordinates and associates.” Later, he would go on to host the 1983 National Guard Association of Texas’ annual convention in Houston by organizing and leading the total event. And, in 1985, he led a 10-man team in moving a retired F-4 “Phantom” Fighter Jet (tail number 712) from Ellington Field to Camp Mabry in Austin; designing and fabricating the mounting system and supervising the on-site installation of the aircraft that is now on display at the Texas National Guard Headquarters. That same year, he applied for and was endorsed by the 147th FIG to become the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General of the Texas Air National Guard; although a tough contender for the job, he was not selected – but the nomination was indicative of his proven performance and executive leadership potential. In 1987, Nils Sorenson retired from the Texas National Guard and concluded over 35-years of total federal service to the State of Texas and our nation. •	As a citizen, Nils Sorenson supported numerous community and church activities in a variety of important leadership positions. Throughout the span of the last three decades, he has supported the Civil Air Patrol’s Ellington Composite Squadron, the Houston Independent School District’s Junior ROTC program and the Parent Teacher Association, the American Legion posts 490 and 594 as the Adjutant, the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Graduate’s Association as its president, the local Air Force recruiting squadron, the Angel Flight medical support program, the local Wings over Houston air show, and the Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets’ Squadron 11. These various organizations bestowed upon him numerous letters, certificates and plaques of appreciation. Simultaneous with his service to the above volunteer activities, he served his church (Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in southeast Houston) as the Senior and Junior Warden of its vestry, and as member and leader of various committees of that same body. He also served on the finance and building committees, and his work directly led to the early repayment of the church mortgage and the realization of many capital improvements that have ensured Saint Paul’s community presence and influence today. In 1972, he founded the Glenbrook Valley Citizens on Patrol organization, which still exist 30-years later. To accomplish this feat, he acquired the support of local businesses and citizens and established an effective program by designing procedures, establishing a communications infrastructure, obtaining critical supplies and equipment and building a coalition of non-material support mechanisms through his influential rapport and personal leadership among the residents. In 1973, the Houston Police Department recognized his success by awarding him with its Outstanding Achievement award. His most influential and lasting work to his community clearly lies with his service to the International Lions Club. He helped established the Space City Lions Club in the early 1980s and, guided by his strong character of humanity, he participated in and led many projects that assisted Texas citizens in leading fulfilling lives in spite of debilitating health problems. These projects include the Texas Eye Bank, the Lighthouse for the Blind, the Texas Lions' Crippled Children’s Camp, the Leader Dog Program, and the Diabetics and Eyeglasses Program. The International Lions Club recognized his outstanding efforts and services by conferring upon him the Lion of the Year Award for 1983, the President’s Gold Award in 1993 and honorary Lifetime membership in 1994. He did this out of love of man and despite being afflicted with diabetes which has, over the course of his association, limited his own eyesight, caused the amputation of both legs and ultimately ushered him from life. •	As a husband and father, Nils Sorenson has been married to Mary Louis Hitchcock of Houston for nearly 50 years. At the time of marriage, he assumed the duties of step-father for Mary’s son Lester Bert Williams and daughter Charlotte Ann Williams-Altman following the sudden and tragic death of their father. He cared for, guided and nurtured these two children carefully, and when they reached their early teens, he fathered his paternal son, Nils Christian and daughter Natalie Cathleen.

Texan Nils Anton Sorenson’s character of patriot, citizen and family man provided a stronger community, state and nation. The many lasting contributions made by this extraordinary individual, without a formal high school education and monetary wealth, embodies the definition of personal achievement and self-actualization. He has inspired others to excel, has facilitated the freedom we enjoy, and has improved the community in which we live. This outstanding Texan clearly deserves our highest respect and may our lord accept him into his kingdom and afford him an appropriate place to continue his lasting contributions.