GRADUATING WITH HONORS: Norm Sanborn Sr. gets his diploma 58 years later

A Spaulding High students on Friday escorts Norm Sanborn Sr. to the podium where he received his honorary diploma and special recognition for his service to his country. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - Nonagenarian Norman Sanborn Sr. of Rochester got something on Friday he probably never thought he'd get. A high school diploma.
Sanborn, 94, who served in the Naval Reserves during the Korean War, left high school at the age of 16 to serve his country in the Merchant Marines bringing home World War II troops. After serving from 1945 to 1946, Sanborn enlisted in the US Navy Reserves in 1947 and served until 1955.
On Friday during the Spaulding High commencement ceremony he received an honorary diploma with special recognition from his alma mater

Norm Sanborn Sr. with extended family at his commencement.

The recognition was based on his own sacrifice of formal education to serve his nation.
Sanborn's accolades with regard to service and sacrifice for country are many.
He was honored in May 2021 with the New Hampshire State Commission on Aging and EngAGING's Older Adult Volunteer of the Year for Strafford County.
Sanborn's impressive volunteer service continues to this day, said Sarah Stanley of the NH Veterans Home.
"Norm not only builds 'Communities of Strength,' but also empowers fellow veterans," Stanley said.
Below are some of his many accomplishments and initiatives, which show no signs of slowing down:
While residing at the New Hampshire Veterans Home during the height of the Home's COVID-19 outbreak, he assisted the home in ensuring adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.

GRADUATION DAY: Norm Sanborn Sr. holds a plaque that holds his recognition of service to his country and his honorary Spaulding High School diploma

He organized a grant donation from the Rochester Elks Lodge for COVID-19 related expenses, including masks, sanitizers, and other personal protective equipment. A portion of these funds were previously allocated to the NHVH from a grant coordinated by him the year prior to host a pizza party for NHVH residents with Elks lodge members. After the onset of the pandemic, he recognized the funds would not be able to be used as originally intended. He then successfully petitioned the Lodge to award a $2,500 grant.
Just prior to COVID and his move to the New Hampshire Veterans Home, he traveled to the Manchester VA Hospital, the New Hampshire Veterans Home (his current home) and the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen to support and pay homage to veterans.
He is also part of the organized effort to place wreaths and flags on veterans' graves sites in Rochester.
As an advocate for his fellow veterans, he organized veterans activities in Rochester, including the Memorial and Veterans Day Parades, which he also walked in into his 90s, flag retirement ceremonies and Flag Day ceremonies. Served as president of the Veterans Council in Rochester for many years. He was also an integral liaison between the Elks, Masons, Knights of Columbus, Victory Club, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS and other fraternal and non-profit organizations.
He provided support to veterans visiting them with his committee members in local nursing homes. He also created photos DVDs of his service to our country to share that important history with younger generations; he put them to great use conducting educational presentations to schoolchildren about veterans who served in WWII, prior to the pandemic.
Sanborn also organized dinner and entertainment for veterans at the Elks. Lodge, American Legion, and restaurants; all at no cost to local area veterans.
He also:
Coordinated support and education to area veterans through the use of programs available from veteran service organizations

Assisted in the coordination of a seminar at the Rochester Elks Lodge explaining benefits available to veterans. As a result, many veterans signed up for benefits that they did not know they were entitled to receive.

Made presentations about local veterans' activities to the Rochester City Council and hosted his own television broadcast on the local cable channel in the City of Rochester where he interviewed various representatives of local organizations regarding veterans' activities.