Re: WW II POW Receives HS Diploma

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: June 18, 2003

"Veterans to be honored at NP

MICHAEL ROCCO , Staff Writer

It has been a long time coming for veterans of World War II and the Korean War- who on Thursday will receive diplomas at a ceremony at the North Penn High School.

“Operation Recognition” was created last year after the Pennsylvania School Code was amended to allow men and women who left high school to fight in World War II to graduate. This years veterans of the Korean War were included in the program.

“I was called up so I had to go (to war)” said Tony Graziano- who will be among about two dozen veterans taking part in the ceremony Thursday. A graduation party will be held at 6 p.m. and a special recognition ceremony will be held at the beginning of the school board meeting at 7:30 p.m.

This will be North Penn’s second year honoring veterans. Last year 18 veterans received diplomas.

“It is a wonderful ceremony for everyone involved” said Christine Liberaski, coordinator of school and community services. “The veterans are so honored that we are asking them back to give them a high school diploma. It is such a thrilling event because you can see in their eyes how grateful they are.”

Souderton Area also put out information to honor veterans, but did not get any inquiries, said Ellen Jamison, coordinator of community services.

Graziano was in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. He took part in the invasion of Southern France and was wounded twice by shrapnel from German tanks.

“During the war, whenever someone got wounded, we called it a million-dollar wound because you got to go home. But mine wasn’t worth a damn dollar” said Graziano, of Harleysville.

He also spent time as a German prisoner of war and saw 53 of his fellow soldiers die in the first week. He was rescued by his own division.

He said his son convinced him to be a part of the diploma ceremony.

“I think they are doing a very good thing for a lot of veterans. We’ve been ignored for the past 55 years. Now, people are starting to realize what we did” Graziano said.

There is still time for interested veterans to be a part of the ceremony.

For World War II, a veteran must have served in the armed forces between Sept. 1, 1940 and Dec. 31, 1946, attended high school between 1937 and 1946, and been scheduled to graduate between 1941 and 1950.

A Korean War veteran must have served between June 27, 1950 and Jan. 31, 1955, attended high school between 1947 and 1955, and been scheduled to graduate between 1951 and 1957.

Veterans who meet this criteria can call (215) 368-0400 ext. 212.

“We really hope that many veterans come forward because we know there are many out there who deserve recognition and their long-deserved diplomas” said Donna Mengel, North Penn School Board president. “It is our desire to honor those veterans who embody patriotism, heroism and commitment to peace.”


©Reporter 2003 "