Veterans sought for County Operation Recognition Program

World War II veteran Ruben Peters holds the photo of his wife and daughter that still bears the scrapnel marks from being carried with him everywhere he traveled throughout Europe as a motorcycle messenger for the U.S. Army. Photo provided by Riverside County

Veterans from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War who chose service to their country over graduation caps and gowns, will be honored with a high school diploma on Monday, November 13, 2017.

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 4 to apply for a diploma through the 2017 Operation Recognition Program.

More than 300 veterans have received those all important documents 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 2017 Operation Recognition ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 13, at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley.

In order to be recognized at the ceremony, completed application forms and supporting documentation must be received by Wednesday, October 4, at 5:00 p.m. An application may be submitted by a family member of a qualifying individual, living or deceased. Persons who meet qualifications, but earned a GED, are eligible.

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. Operation Recognition also awards diplomas to Japanese-American citizens who did not complete high school due to internment in a WW II relocation camp. Applicants must show proof of internment during the period of December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946.

There is no charge to participate in Operation Recognition. Application, forms, photos and video from last year’s ceremony are available online at rcoe.us/operationrecognition.

Applications can also be requested by telephone. For more information, contact Tracey Case at 951–826-6570 or tcase@rcoe.us.

Apply before 5:00 p.m. October 4, 2017