They were away from home serving their country while classmates were marching in commencement ceremonies. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard veterans who missed out on their high school graduations due to military service have until October 15 to apply for a diploma through the 2019 Operation Recognition Program. Individuals who were interned in a Japanese-American relocation camp during World War II are also encouraged to apply.
A total of 354 veterans have received a diploma through Operation Recognition since 2007. The diplomas are awarded as a joint effort of the Riverside County Board of Education, the Riverside County Office of Education, and the Riverside County Department of Veterans’ Services.
The 2019 Operation Recognition ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley.
In order to be recognized at the ceremony, individuals must currently reside in Riverside County. Completed application forms and supporting documentation must be received by 5 p.m., on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.
Application, forms, photos, and video from last year’s ceremony are available online at www.rcoe.us/operationrecognition. There is no charge to apply or participate. Applications can also be requested by telephone. Interested persons may contact Tracey Case at (951) 826-6570 or email her at tcase@rcoe.us.
The program is open to current residents of Riverside County whose high school education was interrupted by military service in World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Degrees can also be conferred posthumously. Education Code Section 51440 authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans. Section 51430 also authorizes the retroactive granting of diplomas to Japanese-American citizens whose internment by federal order in World War II prevented them from graduating from their hometown high school.