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Veterans who didn't finish high school to be granted high honorary diplomas
By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | ∞
RIVERSIDE -- In 1945, while his high school classmates were hunched over textbooks, working to earn their diplomas, Ken Patric was fighting in World War II. He had left school as a sophomore to enlist and was stationed in England.
Fast-forward to today, and the 77-year-old Murrieta resident is now eligible to receive a high school diploma retroactively through the Riverside County Office of Education for his sacrifice.
On Wednesday, the county office announced the start of its "Operation Recognition," in which county residents who did not complete high school because of military service in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War can receive a diploma.
Those interned in a Japanese-American relocation camp, as well as vets who received some sort of high school certificate after the war, such as one that can be earned by taking a General Educational Development test, known as the GED, are also eligible for the diploma.
The application period runs through March 23, and a ceremony has been scheduled for May 16 to honor those who apply and qualify for the diploma. It is the first year the office of education has offered the diploma, but the effort will be repeated in the years to come, its top official said.
"The idea is to honor these fellow Americans for their service," said Dave Long, Riverside County superintendent of schools. "The potential recipients had their education interrupted to serve this nation, and we want to show our gratitude and now honor them these years later."
The effort is modeled after other programs implemented across the state and nation.
Patric said it sounded like a great idea, and that he would probably apply.
Patric left his Rochester, N.Y., high school with several other friends who wanted to join the armed services, mostly compelled by a patriotic call to duty to help the country as it fought the Germans, but also because of other benefits, such as the GI Bill, he said.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served from 1945 to 1949.
"I never thought twice about leaving high school," he said. "I wanted to join."
After his service, Patric entered the reserves and received some sort of "high school certificate" from the state of New York so he could attend college, but it was not a diploma, he said.
Patric, second vice commander of American Legion Post 852 of Temecula and Murrieta Valley, said he thinks several of his fellow vets would be eligible and interested in applying for the diploma.
Decades ago, men and women often left high school to join the armed services for a variety of reasons, said Pete Ramos, Riverside County's American Legion District 21's first vice commander.
In addition to patriotism, escaping poverty often was a factor for those from the South, he said. In other cases, those who didn't care for high school saw the armed services as a way out, he said.
But whatever the reason a veteran did not receive his or her diploma and instead was found on the front lines of battle, "Operation Recognition" is a worthy cause and long overdue, Ramos said.
"It's not going to do them any good now, but it would give them the honor of having it," he said.
-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.
OPERATION RECOGNITION
The Riverside County Office of Education is offering high school diplomas to county residents who missed completing high school due to military service in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or due to internment in World War II Japanese-American relocation camps. Family members may also submit an application to recognize a qualifying individual posthumously. A May 16 ceremony has been scheduled to honor those who apply and qualify for the diploma.
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10 o'clock scholar wrote on Jan 4, 2007 5:58 AM:This maybe warm and fuzzy and politically correct, but it cheapens what a high school diploma certifies--that is, successful completion of basic secondary education and hopefully competence in core curriculum. I have no objection to an honorary diploma similar to honorary degrees awarded by universities to outstanding citizens based upon achievement, but not a real diploma. There are ample oppurtunities thru GED programs or night schools to earn a diploma. We are expecting High School grads to have to pass exit exams in California to give meaning to the diploma and the whole No Child Left Behind mess is supposed to be about competency of students and schools. To award diplomas based on Patriotism, rather than completion of a course of study seems misguided to me. I appreciate the sacrifice but what an odd and inappropriate way to show it. why not give them a liscence to practice medicine or fly an airplane or someother unearned but nice token of appreciation.
Maris wrote on Jan 4, 2007 4:27 PM:On the other hand, what those students where being taught, was probably at such a greater difficulty, then what students are taught today. When you can have 50 valadictorians in one graduating class today, that shows you how "watered down" the curriculm of today is. So, based on what these students were taught and what they learned back then, they were probably so far ahead of todays student, they deserve their diploma's. I had a boss many years ago in Murrieta who did not get his diploma because his induction papers had him reporting to boot camp, one week before he would have received his diploma from Elsinore Union High. He was drafted into the service and served in Korea.
10 o'clock scholar wrote on Jan 4, 2007 4:27 PM:I think I misread! If this is an honorary high school diploma, not a real diploma, I take back my comment of this morning and apologize. I got started too early I think.
To 10 o'clock wrote on Jan 4, 2007 6:39 PM:I hesitate to add "scholar" because if anyone can use this term, it would be those who served our country & who "learned" through experiences what many could not begin to learn in school. Thank you to all who have served our country. Please know that you have earned a REAL diploma!!!! Thank you Dr. Long for your leadership!
GFN wrote on Jan 4, 2007 7:21 PM:My first reaction is "Wrong, wrong, wrong." Then I read that it is only for those who served in Vietnam, at the latest, those who are at least 50-plus years old, and it is an honorary degree, and I am OK with it. But that's it...no more. If you want a high school diploma from now on, regardless of what war you are in, earn one.
shanernik wrote on Jan 25, 2007 7:42 PM:Please~! These soldiers went to combat for the freedom that you enjoy every day. Next time read the entire article and get the facts before posting your ignorant comments on the web. My father is a veteran who fought for your freedom and NO, he doesn't have a high school diploma. He was drafted. I'm thanful for our armed forces. They deserve their "diploma"
shputnok wrote on Oct 19, 2007 4:47 AM:I'm all for REAL veterans like the World WarII men getting these programs, but for all those born after 1945, nothing should be given.
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