High school graduation is a time for cap-throwing, long gowns, last-minute pranks and pomp and circumstance, but for 83-year-old James Egan, his high school graduation Monday, May 5, was much different.
In a room filled with family members at the South Colonie School District office, Egan, of Colonie, was presented with the diploma he would have received nearly 60 years ago if he had completed high school instead of joining the U.S. Coast Guard.
Before Egan served in the Coast Guard, he was a student at Albany High School. During his time of service, he was a 3rd class electrician’s mate in the U.S. Coast Guard Personnel Separation Center in Brooklyn.
Egan said he, luckily, `was never in any bad situations,` though he traveled a lot and `got to see the world.`
After serving almost four years, Egan was honorably discharged in 1945. Now, as part of a law enacted by former-governor George Pataki in 2000, Egan is finally finished with high school.
The program, labeled `Operation Recognition,` grants high school diplomas to all students who left school before graduating to serve in a military division during World War II. A year after the program was in place, it grew to include veterans of the Korean War.
According to the law, recipients of the diploma receive the certificate based on the knowledge and experience they gained while in the service.
Those who actually received their High School Equivalence (or GED) diploma before entering the service are also eligible for the program in which they receive an actual high school diploma.
No evidence of school attendance in New York needs to be proven in order for a veteran to receive their diploma ` they only need to prove, in writing, that they did not previously receive one.
Egan found out he could get his diploma when his daughter, a teacher, gathered the appropriate paperwork for her dad.
On Monday, Egan was presented with his diploma ` the same diploma graduating high school seniors receive, according to John Noetzel, communications director for the South Colonie School District ` by Board of Education President James Tim Ryan.
Egan said he plans to frame his diploma and hang it on the wall.
`We’re so proud of him. He’s really been through a lot,` said daughter Nancy Lucarelli of Colonie.
Another daughter of Egan’s, Susan Malewicz, also of Colonie, was at the ceremony as well.
Lucarelli said one of the greatest aspects of Egan’s recognition is that he will be graduating in the same year as his youngest grandson, Dan Vardaro, 18, of Colonie.
`It’s pretty cool that we’re graduating in the same year,` said Vardaro, who will be graduating from high school later this month.
When asked if he planned to celebrate his high school graduation the same way his grandfather planned to, `with coffee and dessert at Grandma’s,` Vardaro said probably not.
While Egan did not continue his education with college after he concluded his duties, he said, Vardaro said he does plan to attend college, though he is not yet sure of where and what he plans to major in.
Although Egan’s high school graduation ceremony concluded at about 7:45 p.m. Monday evening, his name will be celebrated in the commencement ceremony this spring, along with hundreds of other graduates. According to Noetzel, Egan’s name will appear in the program with special recognition for being part of the Operation Recognition program.
Noetzel said, `Technically, I guess, he’s part of the class of 2008.`
Members of the community who are either the next of kin or are interested in recommending their loved ones to the Operation Recognition program through the South Colonie School District are encouraged to call the Superintendent’s Office at 869-3576.
“
