Grads For Veterans Diploma Project To Be Honored

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Six veterans — who served in the military and had their high school completion interrupted — will receive their high school diplomas during a graduation ceremony on November 6.

This will be the 11th graduation class for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, which is held in partnership between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the County Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 280 veterans — from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War — have been recognized since the first graduation ceremony in 2009. This year’s ceremony will be held at Serrano High School in the Snowline Joint Unified School District on November 6. The school is located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan.

Veterans in this year’s graduating class are:

• Steve Sanchez Bustos of Ontario, Vietnam War, Marines;
• Steven James Meadows of Hesperia, Vietnam War, Marines;
• Edward Alvin Molina of Chino, Vietnam War, Army;
• Richard Donald Simpson of Apple Valley, Vietnam War, Navy;
• Robert C. Standon of Ontario; Vietnam War, Navy;
• James Michael Whitmore of Twentynine Palms, Vietnam War, Marines.

Following the graduation ceremony, veterans and their guests will be honored at the 25th annual Veterans Dinner taking place in the Serrano High gymnasium hosted by the Snowline Joint Unified School District, Tri-Community Kiwanis and Victorville Motors.       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.