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Veterans may apply for long overdue diplomas

     Veterans answered the call of duty and served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. While they served, some missed out on their high school graduations. Now Kenneth M. Young of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, is calling on veterans to pick up those long overdue but well deserved high school diplomas, courtesy of a program known as Operation Recognition.
     “Our veterans are qualified and well deserving to receive diplomas,” Young says. “We want to do everything we can to make it possible for these outstanding individuals to share that experience with their family and friends.”
     The 2010 Operation Recognition ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on November 12 at the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, Indian Wells Theater, 37-500 Cook Street in Palm Desert. 
     In order to be recognized at the ceremony, completed application forms and supporting documentation must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 1. Application forms are available at rcoe.us/operationrecognition  or can be requested by telephone. Interested persons may contact Tracey Rivas at 826-6570 or e-mail her at trivas@rcoe.us. 
     The program is open to residents of Riverside County whose high school education was interrupted by military service in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War. Education Code Section 51440 authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans. Section 51430 authorizes the retroactive granting of diplomas to Japanese-American citizens whose internment by federal order in World War II prevented them from graduating from their hometown high school.
     Nearly 200 veterans have received high school diplomas through the Operation Recognition Program since 2007. The diplomas are awarded as a joint effort of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and the Riverside County Department of Veteran’s Services 
     Veterans are given the chance to be awarded their high school diplomas in front of family and friends; then pose for a “class photo.” Many tell stories of leaving home as teenagers and spending years away from their families. On their return, they went to work and built careers. Many still seek a diploma, something they missed out on so many years ago.
      

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