AUGUSTA — Calvin B. Surrett, a World War II Army veteran, has been named Veteran of the Month for August and September at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

Surrett was born on June 4, 1925, in Birmingham, Ala., and spent most of his young life in Anniston, Ala. In early 1943, at the age of 17, he attempted to enlist in the Navy, but his parents would not give permission. In August of 1943, after he had turned 18, he was drafted into the Army.

Surrett was assigned to the 17th Airborne, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge and in Operation Varsity, making the first glider landing behind German lines in Germany.

On Dec. 24, 1955, Calvin married Dixie Ann Surrett, who passed away in 1982. They moved to Huntsville, Ala., where he went to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He worked in the construction of rockets designed for space exploration, including the Saturn V that took man to the moon. He later worked as an instructor in the Hawk Missile Program at the U. S. Army Missile and Munitions School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.

In 1984, Surrett married Maurine Hayes Alverson, and gained two grown children, Bob Alverson and wife Mary and Sharon Alverson Keown and husband Gerald, as well as five grandchildren. That number has now grown to include two grandsons-in-law, a granddaughter-in-law and five great-grandsons. Another great grandchild is due in October. His wife passed away 2012.

Surrett was an active member of Jackson Way Baptist Church in Huntsville before moving to Maine in 2010. He enjoys iced tea, modern music and attending the various musical programs at the veterans’ home and looks forward to visits from his extended family.