Many other states award a similar honorary high school diploma to veterans of the wars listed below who were unable to complete high school. "Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas recognize the life experiences of veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Since the first honorary diplomas were issued in 2001, more than 1,000 have been awarded to veterans of the three wars. To obtain an honorary diploma, a veteran may submit a statement to the Veterans Education Unit of the Virginia Department of Education describing his or her service, the location of the last school attended, and affirming that he or she was unable to complete high school upon return to civilian life. The guidelines also allow for the submission of information by family members and veterans’ organizations." http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/veteransdiplomas.html
In most places, this is part of Operation Recognition. I donate a chapter in Bears' Guide to Earning High School Diplomas Nontraditionally to this program for World War II veterans. It seems a reasonable trade-off. You get shot at, but they don't kill you, and you get a high school diploma. Note that this program is run differently in different places. I believe California includes Japanese folks that were interned in relocation camps during the war. For more information, I would contact the originator, Robert McKean. He is the Massachusetts director of State Veteran's Memorial Cemetaries. He can be contacted at: Robert McKean 1390 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001 Phone: 413.821.9500 Email: [email protected] Tom Nixon
Thanks, Tom. I came accross the Virginia Veteran Honorary High School Diploma while looking for something else. I think it's a great idea.
