Joe Perricone (left) and Bill William Arnold Craddock (right). (CNN)

Veterans Celebrate High School Graduations Decades Later After War

Two combat veterans were finally able to feel and celebrate the graduation ceremony on Saturday (5/25) after decades of waiting. Joe Perricone, 95, and Bill William Arnold Craddock, 85, were invited to walk at their graduation ceremonies after they missed out on a chance to feel the special moment because they had to leave for wars.

Mr. Perricone attended Tampa, Florida’s Hillsborough High School at that time. He was able to receive his diploma yet could not attend his graduation since he had to join the US Army to Europe in 1943 during World War II.

With the help of his grandson, Judge Thomas Palermo, who is also from the school board ensured that he could join the class of 2019 where he was handed a diploma and commended for his service to the country.

Mr. Palermo said that the moment meant a lot to their family to see someone they love very much can finally live out his dreams.

Whereas Mr. Craddock was 16 years old when he joined the Air Force to fight in the Korean War. He left Science Hill High School where he was enrolled, but received his degree from Volunteer Hill High School in Church Hill, Tennessee and celebrated it with the 2019 graduates that day. Mr. Craddock also gave his words for all graduates to study hard and be good, as well as to learn everything they can and get the best education they can get, he added.