COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 147
October 25, 2002
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne
DeMary Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Commonwealth of Virginia Korean War and
Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas |
This memorandum
provides information about the establishment of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas to be issued
by the Board of Education. The 2002 General Assembly session adopted Senate
Bill 365, sponsored by Senator Harry B. Blevins, to establish the honorary
diploma and designate the first week in November as Virginia Korean War
Veterans Appreciation Week. The Board of Education extended the issuance of
honorary diplomas to veterans who served in the country of Vietnam between 1961
and 1975 and who were unable to continue their education upon returning
home. At its September meeting, the
Board of Education adopted guidelines for the application process and award of
the diplomas. These guidelines and a request for a veterans honorary high
school diploma are attached.
Senate Bill 365
recognizes the educational, personal, and financial sacrifices made by Korean
War veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. The General Assembly
found that some of these veterans left school before completing the
requirements for their high school diploma. Many of them were unable to
complete their high school education for various reasons upon returning home.
Because the General Assembly found that these veterans have made
"significant contributions" to this country "while gaining
substantial knowledge and skills through work," Senate Bill 365 provides for
the honorary high school diploma to be issued by the Board of Education to
qualified veterans according to guidelines developed by the board.
Any veteran of the
Korean War or the Vietnam War who is interested in receiving the Commonwealth
of Virginia Korean War or Vietnam War Veteran Honorary High School Diploma must
submit a statement that includes the following information:
1.
The veteran’s full name;
2.
Dates of service;
3.
Statement declaring he was drafted or did enlist in
the United States Armed Forces and that the veteran was unable to resume his
education upon returning to civilian life;
4.
If a Vietnam War veteran, served in the country of
Vietnam between 1961 and 1975.
The information
may be submitted by the veteran, by his or her family, or by any individual or
veterans’ organization on behalf of the veteran. Honorary diplomas will be distributed to the veterans during
Virginia Korean War Veterans Appreciation Week or on a case-by-case basis, as
necessary.
We encourage
school divisions to work with local veterans’ organizations in recognizing and
honoring Korean War and Vietnam War veterans for the contributions and
sacrifices they made to protect this country and its people.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Duane C.
Sergent, associate director of veterans and proprietary education, (fthomas@mail.vak12ed.edu) at (804)
225-2083 if you need additional information. Applications for an honorary
diploma should be made to the Department of Education, Attention: Veterans
Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120.
JLD/dcs
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2002/inf147a.pdf
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2002/inf147b.pdf