| Pattonville offers
honorary diplomas for WWI, WWII and Korean War vets When members of Pattonville High School’s graduating class of 2002 walk across the stage at Riverport Amphitheatre in May to receive their diplomas, they will be joined by a distinguished class of veterans. The Pattonville School District will set aside time during this year’s graduation ceremonies to award honorary high school diplomas to veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the United States military during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Pattonville is participating in a new state program, called “Operation Recognition,” that is sponsored by the Missouri Veterans Commission and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. House Bill 441, which was signed by Gov. Bob Holden on July 12, provides official state high school diplomas to veterans who served between April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946, and June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1946. Local boards of education award the diplomas, which are issued by the state. Pattonville will award diplomas to veterans during its Pattonville High School graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m., May 23, at Riverport Amphitheatre. Honorary graduates will also receive a medal from the school district in appreciation for service to their country. The program is open to any resident or former resident of Missouri. Veterans can qualify regardless of whether they attended public or private schools and regardless of whether the school still exists or not. Family members may apply for an honorary diploma on behalf of a deceased veteran. Applications to receive a diploma may be obtained by calling (314) 213-8025 or by visiting the Pattonville Learning Center, Room 303, at 11097 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann. Deadline to return applications to the Pattonville School District in order to participate in the May graduation ceremony is Friday, Feb. 15, 2002. Diplomas may also be sent directly to the veteran if the person chooses not to participate in the graduation ceremonies. A copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge papers or DD-214 is required to be submitted along with the application. The Missouri Veterans Commission will verify that an applicant is eligible to receive the diploma. |
