Wartime Veterans Receive High School Diplomas

A 91-year-old Army veteran who built bridges under the orders of General George Patton during World War II will be among 16 San Bernardino County veterans who have finally received their high school diplomas during a special graduation ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Serrano High School at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan. Demetrio Garcia, of Victorville, who was drafted as a teenager, receives the diploma more than seven decades after he would have finished high school through Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma project. Many of Garcia’s family attended the ceremony, including his three daughters whom he put through college and now work in the medical field. The program, a partnership between San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, honors veterans who did not graduate from high school due to wartime service during the Korean War, World War II or the Vietnam War. This year’s ceremony was followed by the annual Veterans Dinner in the Serrano High School gymnasium. The dinner, in its 21st year, was hosted by the Snowline Joint Unified School District and the Tri-Community Kiwanis Club. Students helped to honor the veterans during the dinner which drew more than 1,000 people. Other veterans receiving diplomas include: • Luis Aguilar of Rancho Cucamonga, Korean War, Army • Rudy Barrera of Colton, Vietnam War, Army • Harry Brady of Rancho Cucamonga, World War II, Army • Charles Crawford of Hesperia, Korean War, Navy • Chester Crumm of Hesperia, Vietnam War, Marines • Harvey Edwards of Barstow, Vietnam War, Army and Coast Guard • Donald Elliott of Pinon Hills, Korean War, Navy • Albert Enriquez of Colton, Vietnam War, Marines • Demetrio Garcia of Victorville, World War II • Thomas Heath of Fontana, Vietnam War, Army • Robert Lyons of Phelan, Korean War, Navy • Ron Marquez of Adelanto, Vietnam War, Marines • Roman Perrotta of Yucca Valley, World War II and Korean War, Navy and Air Force • Richard Robles of Yucca Valley, Vietnam War, Marines • Francis Rowlands of Ontario, World War II, Navy • Robert Schaller Jr. of Barstow, Vietnam War, Army “It will be a wonderful moment to see veterans who proudly served our country during World War II, Vietnam and the Korean War receive their high school diplomas,” said Frank Guevara, Director of San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs. “Some veterans have waited more than seven decades for this moment and it is in honor for our department and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to make this possible for them.”