On March 27, 2024, Rick Luttrell contacted the Operation Recognition Program offered through the State of Kansas, rewarding eligible veterans their honorary high school diploma if they left high school to serve during war times.
Rick left high school to join the United States Marine Corps and was rewarded certification as a Field Artillery Fire Controlman, and now lives with a hearing disability. In 1972 he completed his GED and later transferred to the Military Police Unit, where he went on to complete his enlistment and was honorably discharged in March of 1975.
He then worked for the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District and during that time he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve and later retired in 2010. On November 11, 2025, as part of an annual Veterans Day observance, the Kansas City, Kansas Public School Board of Education presented Rick with his honorary high school diploma from Wyandotte High School serving as a distinguished veteran who served our nation with courage and sacrifice.
Did you miss graduating from High School due to entering the military service in World War ll, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam War?
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
What is Operation Recognition?
Operation Recognition is a program established in 1999 to recognize and honor eligible veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War by awarding them with their high school diplomas if they were deployed before graduating.
Eligibility:
Any Veteran who received an honorable discharge for service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America between the dates of September 16, 1940 thru May 7, 1975.
Applicants:
- Eligible veterans who served
- Veterans who received their GEO
- Veteran, guardian, or family member on behalf of a disabled or deceased veteran
Application Process:
An application for the diploma will need to be obtained from the participating state or school district to which the veteran is applying. The Veteran Advocate (listed below) can help with that process. A copy of the DD-214 must be attached to all applications. If the request is for a deceased veteran, a copy of the death certificate must also be attached.
Contact a Volunteer Veteran Advocate:
Charm McElree – Volunteer Veteran Advocate
760-885-0935 (Based in Boulder City, Nevada)
Cmcelree2000@yahoo.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
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