On Friday, November 9, I had the honor of presenting diplomas to eight former AISD students who were unable to finish high school because they answered the call to serve in America’s armed forces during wartime. It was a moving service as we began to observe Veteran's Day weekend. Thank you to Senator John Cornyn for honoring our graduates at the service.
The Austin school district has a long, proud tradition of military service among its students, families and team members. Ten years ago, we began awarding belated high school diplomas to veterans of World War II. Since then, we have expanded the diploma program to include men and women who cut short their studies to serve in subsequent military conflicts, including the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines we recognize today have earned diplomas from high schools in every corner of this district, including Anderson, Austin, Crockett, Eastside Memorial, Reagan and Travis.
Every veteran has a unique story. One of the men who received his diploma, Private First Class Charles R. Jones, served in the Army of Occupation in Japan at the close of the Second World War. Another, Corporal Eleazar Dominguez III, was a Marine sharpshooter who served during the Iran Hostage Crisis in the late 1970s.
After completing his naval service, including duty in Vietnam, Operations Specialist Roland Holloway received his GED and graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a BS in Computer Science. On Friday, he received the diploma he earned from his alma mater, Crockett High School.
Sergeant Johnny D. Hardeman, was a decorated Vietnam veteran, who also had the distinction of serving as a pallbearer at the funeral of President Harry S. Truman in 1972. Sgt. Hardeman is no longer with us, but his daughter, Latisha Hardeman Anderson, was there to accept the diploma on his behalf.
Thank you to all of these veterans and their families for participating in this moving ceremony.
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| Special thanks to Travis Principal Ty Davidson and his father-in-law U.S. Army Specialist Apolonio C. Valdez, Jr., a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War who earned his diploma at the ceremony. |
