SBCSS News and Press Releases

Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project Event On June 3

2010-05-26

SAN BERNARDINO - More than 50 veterans of San Bernardino County who missed high school graduation because of their military service will receive their high school diplomas in a ceremony on June 3.

The Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, offered in a partnership between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the county's Department of Veterans Affairs, will recognize 52 veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The event is for veterans or family members of those who are deceased and awards them their high school diploma for those who met the qualifications.

"There is no better way to honor our veterans than through this outstanding program," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said. "It's an honor just to be part of such a worthwhile ceremony and to personally thank the veterans and their family members for service to our country."

The Diploma Project event will be held at 5 p.m. on June 3 at the Coussoulis Arena on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino.

The featured speaker at the event will be Todd Anton, a teacher at Heritage Elementary School in the Snowline Joint Unified School District. Anton has earned national recognition for his work on collecting oral history from World War II veterans. He is the author of a book about baseball players who served in the military in the war titled, "No Greater Love: Life Stories from the Men Who Saved Baseball."

The California Education Code authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans, as well as those who were interned by federal order during World War II.

All applicants for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project must have been enrolled in high school prior to their military service or internment in a World War II relocation camp.

For more information concerning the event, contact the County Schools' Communications office at (909) 386-2413.