Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Wednesday, August 28, 2002 |
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War veterans to receive high school diplomas
Veterans who did not graduate from high school due to their service in the Korean or Vietnam War can now apply to the school district where they attended high school to receive their high school diplomas. House Bill 1068, which was signed into law May 13, allows school boards to award diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in the Korean War between June 25, 1950, and January 31, 1955, or the Vietnam War between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. In order to be eligible to receive a diploma, veterans must complete an application and furnish proof that he or she is a Korean or Vietnam veteran whose education was interrupted as result of service. Korean War veterans must furnish proof that they attended high school between 1946 and 1955 with graduation years ranging from 1951-1955. Likewise, Vietnam War veterans must furnish proof that they attended high school between 1960 and 1975 with graduation years ranging from 1964-1975. Veterans who meet these requirements, as well as those who have earned a general educational development (GED) diploma, are eligible for a high school diploma. The Bill also provides for the awarding of diplomas to veterans who are deceased and who meet the eligibility requirements. The new law encourages school boards to award the diplomas on or near Veterans Day in November in order to bring to the attention of students the importance of the day and the great sacrifices made by war veterans. In keeping with the law, the Fayette School System plans to issue diplomas to Korean and Vietnam veterans at a called board of education meeting on November 4, 2002. "We look forward to honoring our veterans in November by presenting them with their high school diplomas. We appreciate the tremendous sacrifices that each of them made for our great country. We see this as an opportunity to show our gratitude for their service," said Dr. John DeCotis, superintendent of the Fayette County School System. Veterans wishing to apply for a diploma must do so with the board of education of the school district where he or she attended high school. Veterans who were high school students in the Fayette County School System can call the board of education at 770-460-3535 to receive an application by mail. Interested applicants can also pick up an application in person at the board of education offices located at 210 Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.
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