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SAN BERNARDINO — Twenty-two veterans — who served in the military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as had their high school completion interrupted — will receive their diplomas during a ceremony organized by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
This will be the eighth graduation class for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, which is held in partnership with the County Department of Veterans Affairs. This year’s ceremony will be held at Serrano High School in the Snowline Joint Unified School District on Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. The school is located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan.
Veterans in this year’s graduating class are:
- Louis Avilez of San Bernardino, World War II, Marines (posthumous);
- James Bezenah of Phelan, Vietnam War, Navy;
- Shelvere Black of Colton, Vietnam War, Marines;
- Edward Cervantes of Victorville, Vietnam War, Army;
- George Cervantes of Loma Linda, Vietnam War, Marines (posthumous);
- Leonardo Contreras of Hinkley, Vietnam War, Marines;
- Allen Cronk of Apple Valley, Vietnam War, Marines;
- Lewis Gayle of Highland, Korean War, Air Force;
- Jacob Hall of Landers, Vietnam War, Army;
- Carlos Holguin of Rancho Cucamonga, World War II, Army;
- Stephen Jacobs of Hesperia, Vietnam War, Navy;
- Melvin Larsen of Phelan, Korean War, Navy;
- Jerry Martin of Phelan, Vietnam War, Marines and Navy
- Allen Miller of Apple Valley, Vietnam War, Marines
- John Miller of Yucca Valley, Vietnam War, Marines;
- Wilburn Milligan of Fontana, World War II, Marines;
- Stephen Morrow of Hesperia, Vietnam War, Marines;
- Ricky Reyes of Yucca Valley, Vietnam War, Army;
- John Rivera of Wrightwood, Vietnam War, Army;
- Fred Romero of Hesperia, Korean War, Navy;
- Roy Rubio Jr. of Upland, Vietnam War, Marines;
- David Villafana of Barstow, Korean War, Army.
Following the graduation ceremony, veterans and their guests will be honored at the 22nd annual Veterans Dinner taking place in the Serrano High School gymnasium. The dinner will be hosted by the Snowline Joint Unified School District and the Tri-Community Kiwanis Club.
Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project provides veterans and internees, who were unable to complete high school due to military service or internment, the opportunity to receive a high school diploma, according to the state education code. Veterans who served in and received an honorable discharge from World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War; or individuals who were interned in a Japanese American relocation camp and are San Bernardino County residents are eligible to participate.
For more information, contact County Schools at (909) 386-2412.
