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4, 2002 Mickey Schoonover Director of School-Community Relations (314) 213-8025 16 veterans graduate with PHS Class of 2002 When approximately 400 Pattonville High School seniors walked across the stage at UMB Bank Pavilion to receive their high school diplomas recently, they were joined by a distinguished group of graduates who earned their diplomas on the battlefields of Europe and Korea. Sixteen World War II and Korean War veterans received honorary high school diplomas during Pattonville High School’s graduation ceremonies on May 23. Pattonville participated in a new state program, called “Operation Recognition,” that is sponsored by the Missouri Veterans Commission and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Through this program, more than 800 veterans statewide have received honorary diplomas. Pattonville awarded more than 50 of these diplomas to area veterans. Sixteen elected to participate in graduation ceremonies. Along with their diplomas, the veterans received a medal from the school district, as well as an American flag, in appreciation for service to their country. “As these men and women were called to the aid of their country, many had to leave high school before graduation,” said Superintendent Hugh Kinney. “All of these veterans had to leave behind family and a life of familiarity to face some of the toughest moments in their lives. They put their very lives at risk for the defense of everything that America stands for. They earned their lifetime’s education on the battlefield, and this is just one small way we can say, ‘thanks’ for the sacrifices they made so we can live in this wonderful country today.” Three veterans who received their diplomas during graduation also had grandchildren graduating from Pattonville High School the same evening. Seniors Chris Marino and Andrew DeGeare shared the stage with their grandfathers, Joseph Carey and Auerswald Williams, respectively. Carey, a U.S. Air Force veteran served in Korea, and Williams, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, served in World War II. Billy Joe Shands, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, could not attend the ceremony, but his grandchildren, Amy Kayser and Mike Rizzuto, both 2002 Pattonville graduates, accepted the diploma on his behalf. Also sharing the stage that evening was Eugene Deaver, who received his honorary diploma from his daughter, Pat Bryant, Pattonville school board treasurer. Deaver is veteran of the U.S. Marines and served in World War II. Other graduates that evening were: Terry Bryant, U.S. Air Force, Korean War veteran; Robert Busch, U.S. Navy, veteran of World War II and the Korean War; Leonard Claspille, U.S. Navy, World War II veteran, who also accepted a diploma for his brother, Joseph Claspille, U.S. Navy, a World War II veteran; Lorraine Hageman (Young), U.S. WAVES, World War II veteran; Fuget Holloway, U.S. Army, World War II veteran; Earl Hulbert, U.S. Army, Korean War veteran; Donald Neff, U.S. Navy, Korean War veteran; Arthur Oestereich, U.S. Navy Air National Guard; Paul Pagano, U.S. Army, World War II veteran; Robert Wooten, U.S. Marines, Korean War veteran; and Ray Wyas, U.S. Navy, a veteran of World War II. |
