Immediate Release
June 9, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. “After all these years, I finally feel like I have a welcome home,” said Tom Raper, upon receiving his diploma. Raper and David Warman, both Vietnam veterans, left high school when they were 17 to enlist; both received their long overdue high school diploma’s last week during the class of 2009 West Clermont graduations of Glen Este and Amelia High Schools at the Cintas Center.
“This is something I’ve wanted all my life,” said Raper, who admits he was so proud to receive his diploma that he was ready to cry. “I was happy to be there graduating with my grandson C.J. Pickelheimer, and my great-nephew Adam Freeland.”
“I was overwhelmed by the standing ovation the kids and their parents gave me at the Amelia graduation,” said Warman, who was an interrogator and interpreter in Germany and served two tours of duty with the Army in Vietnam. “I tried several times to get my G.E.D. but I always ended up too busy with the military to finish it up. I’m happy to have it now.”
Both men encourage other veterans who have not obtained their high school diploma to contact the Clermont County Veterans’ Services Office at (513) 732-7363 to obtain information on securing a diploma. In Ohio, veterans of Vietnam who were not able to earn their diplomas can receive them through an Ohio school district. “You will be so glad you did,” said Warman. “I am.”
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.