Veterans Honorary High School Diplomas

by State Supt. Linda McCulloch
5/21/07

Are you a veteran who missed graduating from high school due to military service? 

In 2003, at my request, the Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 81.  This legislation allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue an honorary high school diploma to qualified WWII, Korean War and Vietnam veterans in recognition of the life experiences and contributions they made in the defense of our nation.  This is a small, overdue, gesture of our society's gratitude for the many sacrifices these individuals made.

Thousands of young men and women across this country left high school before completing the requirements for their high school diploma to serve in the military.  At an age where most teens are concerned about proms, football games, and graduation parties, WWII veterans were landing at Omaha Beach or Guadalcanal, flying bombing runs over Germany, or crossing the North Atlantic in the face of submarine wolf packs.  Upon returning home, many of these veterans were not able to finish high school. 

Reasons vary as to why veterans did not re-enroll in high school after completing their service.  Some felt they were too old or too mature to fit in and in some cases they were not permitted to by the high school.  Regardless, their lives focused on taking care of families and business.  As the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I am excited to issue these honorary high school diplomas recognizing that what these veterans did not get in the school classroom, they learned in the classroom of life.

My father served in WWII. I spent my childhood listening to my father express regret and embarrassment because he did not have a diploma.  The provision of honorary diplomas eliminates this stigma and recognizes the value of our veterans' life experiences in completing their high school education.

Receiving this honorary high school diploma doesn't cost anything.  There is no fee and the application process is simple, only requiring a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers. In addition, a family member can apply on behalf of a deceased or incapacitated veteran.  Since the legislation passed in 2003, the Office of Public Instruction has recognized the services of 330 Montana veterans with this diploma. 

Over the past 4 years, it has been a pleasure to hear family stories like, “My dad turns 80 this year, and I can't imagine a better birthday present than this!”   A son wrote me describing his father, “Without hesitation, he enlisted in the Army and was among those who liberated Europe.  While he has always been a success in our eyes, this will enable him to feel like he has achieved success by his own measure.”   Writing about a friend one man said, “He is a perfect example of the Veteran who should be awarded this Honorary Diploma.  He is a truly remarkable person and a great asset to this Country”.

If you are a veteran or you know of a veteran who served in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam who didn't receive a high school diploma, I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

More information about the veterans honorary high school diploma can be found on the OPI web site at: www.opi.mt.gov/veteransed/diploma.html or by calling (406) 444-4438.