Story at a glance
- The Racine Journal Times reports 96-year-old Raymond Schaefer was given a surprise graduation by the Waterford Union High School in Waterford, Wis.
- The ceremony was arranged by friends of Schaefer’s who approached school officials about recognizing the World War II vet.
- The veteran, in full cap and gown, was awarded a diploma and an honorary medal.
Nearly 80 years after dropping out of high school and serving in the military during World War II, one Army veteran from Wisconsin finally got his diploma during a surprise ceremony this week.
The Racine Journal Times reports 96-year-old Raymond Schaefer was greeted by the Waterford Union High School marching band, teachers, staff, students, friends and family during a surprise graduation Thursday.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The ceremony was arranged by friends of Schaefer’s who approached school officials about recognizing the World War II vet. Schaefer arrived at the school believing he was just helping a friend run an errand when he found a room full of supporters for his graduation day.
Raymond Schaefer, 96, decided to serve the United States during World War II instead of graduating high school.
But today, @WaterfordUnion, Wolverine band members and school officials gave him a graduation ceremony. Superintendent Lucas Francois presents him an honorary diploma. pic.twitter.com/0IGk07d2P0— Jason Arndt (@thejasonarndt) March 19, 2021
Schaefer dropped out of the Racine County School of Agriculture in the 1940s during his sophomore year and was soon drafted into the Army where he went on to fight as an infantryman during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, he worked for nearly 40 years in equipment manufacturing in Milwaukee and never finished his high school education.
Friends say he expressed regret about not earning his diploma.
“He’d say things like ‘well, I wish I had a high school diploma but I was just too dumb.’ But it’s like, that wasn’t the case at all. He quit school to support his family,” family friend Cynthia Bennett told local Fox6 Milwaukee.
The veteran, in full cap and gown, was awarded a diploma and an honorary medal commemorating his time at Racine County School of Agriculture. The school has been closed since 1959.
“I waited a long time for it, never got around to it,” Schaefer told Fox6 Milwaukee. “It’s great, great, very important.”
READ MORE FROM CHANGING AMERICA
NEW PSYCHEDELICS STUDY SUGGESTS PLACEBO WORKS TOO
1 IN 4 AMERICANS REFUSE TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE: POLL
TAYLOR SWIFT BASHES NETFLIX AFTER ‘DEEPLY SEXIST JOKE’
WOMEN OF COLOR ARE TIPPING THE BALANCE OF POWER IN U.S. CITIES
changing america copyright.
