Program Helps Veterans Get High School Diplomas Years Later
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Five decades after leaving his family and friends to serve his country fighting in the Korean War, Ramon Navarro is getting something many of take for granted: a high school diploma.
"I always wanted to be on that rope, graduating and receiving my diploma," Navarro said.
And he's not alone. His brother, also a Marine who served in Vietnam, is getting one, too.
"I wanna have something to put up on the wall," Sal Navarro said.
"The diploma means a lot to me," Ramon Navarro said. "I'm going to be 80 in three months."
Twelve veterans will graduate Monday, including the Navarro brothers.
The graduation through the San Bernardino County school district is part of Operation Recognition, a program that allows veterans who left school to serve in World War II, Vietnam and Korea to earn their diplomas. In many ways, the ceremony is symbolic, but it means everything to these veterans and their families.
"He's wanted this all his life. He's almost 80," said Elisa Gonzalez, Ramon Navarro's daughter.
Although beaming with pride, the Navarro brothers' hearts were hurting. Their oldest brother, who served in the Army and was seriously wounded in Korea, could not be here Monday.
"I wish he was here. Not me. At any rate, I'm very proud of my two brothers: my older one and my younger one," Ramon Navarro said.
