New effort in Duval to help veterans get their diplomas

By Josh Salman

Marvin Center has accomplished a lot in his life.

The 78-year-old Jacksonville resident was a sergeant in the Marines, has been married for 58 years and earned an associate’s degree from Jacksonville University.

But he has some unfinished business.Center never graduated from high school.

"I started out at Andrew Jackson with the class of ’49 and just sort of fizzled out from there," he said. "I ended up dropping out my junior year. I always thought I didn’t need any more education, but you do. I thought I was smart then. I know I’m smart now."

Center was one of the many teenagers from the Korean War and World War II generations who lied about their age, dropped out of school and joined the Armed Forces.

He received his GED while in the military, but said his wife would always tease him about not earning a diploma.

Now after almost 60 years, he has a chance to silence her reminders.

To honor veterans like Center for their service, the Duval County school system developed a program allowing honorably discharged veterans to receive a high school diploma and be recognized during a high school graduation ceremony of their choice.

The veterans will even have the chance to walk on stage with the traditional students.

"It’s really great to finally accomplish this," Center said. "I get to be one of the boys again. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger. Once a Marine, always a Marine."

Center is disabled and has trouble walking, one of the many residuals from fighting in temperatures approaching 60 degrees below zero.

But it won’t stop him from walking across the stage with about 200 teenagers June 3 at the University of North Florida for the Andrew Jackson graduation ceremony.

"The purpose of this is to pay respect to those who put their lives on hold for this free republic," said School Board member Stan Jordan, who spearheaded the initiative. "It will be great when the children of today get to see their granddaddies and grandmas walk across the stage."

The diploma will be based on life experiences, and the veterans will not have to take a test or any additional classes.

The diploma will be based on life experiences, and the veterans will not have to take a test or any additional classes.

‘Unbelievable’ sacrifice

Most of the veterans who served in World War II or the Korean War are in their 70s and 80s, and with about 1,600 people from this generation dying daily, their window of opportunity is closing, said Herschel Allen, Duval County veterans services officer and Jacksonville Veterans Service supervisor.

"In World War II and Korea, there were a lot of these folks opting for the military, especially country boys," Allen said. "What these guys went through in the ‘frozen chosen’ was unbelievable. And the ones that made it back alive are starting to die now."

Duval County has had a program offering high school diplomas to veterans from these two wars since 2004. But this is the first time they will be able to participate in a local graduation ceremony.

Jordan said the added incentive will increase interest from veterans, which has been minimal since the program’s inception.

Duval is the first county in Florida to present this offer to veterans, he said.

And city officials hope the idea will catch on.

"Hopefully, this thing will really take off and spread to other counties next year," said Harrison Conyers, management officer of military affairs, veterans and the disabled services division of Jacksonville.

The opportunity will also allow graduating seniors to learn from the older generation’s experiences.

Conyers hopes the ceremonies will bridge the gap between the two generations and offer an opportunity for them to connect.

"It’s really all about the kids, especially if the veterans are able to show them what they’ve been through and talk about their sacrifices," he said. "We can all learn from their level of dedication and service."

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