RivCo War Vets Offered Opportunity to Obtain Graduation Certificates

Veterans of foreign wars who didn’t graduate high school have a second chance to get their diplomas, it was announced Monday.

The Riverside County Office of Education is conducting its eighth annual “Operation Recognition” program for the benefit of veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Under the program, vets are eligible to receive their graduation certificates even though they never finished high school.

“Our veterans are qualified and well deserving to receive diplomas,” said county Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Young. “We want to do everything we can to make it possible for these outstanding individuals to share that experience with their family and friends.”

Operation Recognition was initiated in 2007, and since then, around 250 veterans who reside in Riverside County have received diplomas.

The program is based on California Education Code 51440, which permits the retroactive granting of graduation certificates to honorably discharged or retired veterans who served while the country was on a war footing.

All they have to do is sign up, according to county officials.

This year’s application deadline is Oct. 6.

A graduation ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick St.

Application forms can be downloaded at www.rcoe.us/operationrecognition, or requested via telephone by contacting Tracey Case at (951) 826-6570.

— City News Service.

(Image via Shutterstock)