World War II Veterans
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
WALKERTON � There are nine people who will soon be the first individuals to receive high schools diplomas during the 2002-2003 school year.
They were unable to complete their high school education . . . or even to live out the final years of their childhood.
Instead of learning the Three Rs, instead of being teen-agers in their spare time, they spent those years defending the U.S. and other nations in World War I and World War II.
John Glenn High School Principal Delores Mueller announced nine former John Glenn students who were called to war will receive their diplomas during a special ceremony at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The event will take place at the John Glenn High School Auditorium.
The veterans � all from World War II � are able to receive their diplomas thanks to a new law passed by the Indiana General Assembly last year.
�The new law says if a student was drafted or enlisted to fight in World War I or World War II, we are allowed to present them with their diplomas as long as they received an honorable discharge,� Mueller explained.
Even though the law was adopted last year, Mueller said John Glenn High School did not want �to rush things.�
�We wanted to make this a special ceremony for some very special people,� Mueller added.
The nine veterans being honored on the 26th are from the North Liberty, South Bend and Walkerton areas.
World War II veterans John Wells, Robert Henry, Clyde Stickley, Lewis Whitaker, Delbert Krick and twin brothers Eugene and Thomas Stemn will accept their diplomas. Relatives of Raymond Powers and Lawrence Pontius, who are now deceased, will receive the diplomas on behalf of their family members.
�The ceremony will include the presentation of the diplomas, and a brief description of each man�s service record,� Mueller said.
There will be an address given by Steven Heim, Republican candidate for the Indiana House, as well as a John Glenn graduate. Kyle Stull, He�s John Glenn senior who is a World War II buff. He will present a brief history of WW II.
John Glenn teachers Joe Hurt and Jennie Carey are scheduled to sing during the event.
�This has turned into a very special event and honor for us,� Mueller stated. �We are inviting everyone in the area to join us and honor these veterans who gave so much for our country.�
Mueller is asking residents to arrive early for the 7 p.m. ceremony
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