Soldiers who left school in the 1960s and early 1970s to fight in Vietnam now qualify for a high school diploma in Michigan.
As graduation ceremonies approach, leaders at Traverse City Area Public Schools are encouraging them to take advantage.
“There’s no course required for the veteran to come back to take. There’s no test that they need to pass,” says TCAPS Human Resources Executive Director Chris Davis. “It is a benefit that they deserve and that we are honored to be able to give to our veterans.”
A veteran of the Korean War was honored at last year's Traverse City West High School graduation. Watch him receive his diploma about 48 minutes into the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2988&v=J0OJ3Y3i3sg
Davis says Korean and World War II veterans already have this right. Since 2002, TCAPS has issued 35 diplomas. Some vets even choose to walk in the graduation ceremony.
“One year, one of the veterans walked with his granddaughter the same year she graduated,” says Davis. “His grandson was home from Afghanistan and walked with them.”
She says students gave them a standing ovation.
“It was a very, very exciting evening for their family.”