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File | Associated Press Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, shown in April, has made mental health a top priority for his Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune John Reed is an Iraq war veteran and professor of history at the University of Utah. Whil At the age of 16 and determined to fight in World War I, Frank Buckles lied about his age to join the Army. -- U.S. Army photo At 109 years old, West Virginia farmer Frank Buckles is the oldest living U.S. veteran and the last surviving veteran of World War Cherie A. Thurlby | U.S. Army Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, talks with WWI veteran Frank Buckles during a dedicatio Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune At 18 years old, Sarah Howell is among the youngest members of the Utah National Guard. She Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Sarah Howell at 18 years old, is among the youngest members of the Utah National Guard. S Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Gilbert Gooch, a resident at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City, walks Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Residents at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City take a post-breakfast m Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Mary Hatfield, who served in the Air Force, enjoys a smoke outside with friends at the Utah Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Gilbert Gooch, a resident at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City, is one Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Gilbert Gooch, center, a resident at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City