rap #172 09/01/10
FREEHOLDERS PRAISE NEW LAW TO AWARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS TO KOREAN AND VIETNAM WAR VETERANS
A NEW STATE law that awards high school diplomas to Korean and Vietnam War veterans who left school to serve their nation has the backing of the Ocean
County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
"I commend Governor Chris Christie for expanding ‘Operation Recognition’ to include the brave men and women who fought in Korea and Southeast Asia,"
said Freeholder Gerry P. Little.
Little, who is liaison to the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, encouraged qualified Ocean County veterans and their families to take advantage
of the program.
"There is no cost associated with the diploma and no testing is involved," he said. "Veterans will be issued a New Jersey High School Diploma, not
a GED certificate."
Operation Recognition has long been available to World War II veterans. The measure signed recently by the governor is the first time the program
has been expanded to vets of later wars.
To be eligible, a veteran must be a current New Jersey resident and meet the following criteria:
- Left a New Jersey high school directly to join the military between September 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946 for World War II. Between June 23, 1950 and
January 31, 1955 for Korea or December 31, 1960 to May 7, 1975 for Vietnam.
- Discharged honorably or under honorable conditions.
- All branches of service including Merchant Marine and Coast Guard are eligible.
Veterans who have since earned a GED are still eligible to receive a High School Diploma.
Diplomas may also be issued posthumously. Surviving family members of eligible veterans are encouraged to apply.
To apply, send your request to Operation Recognition, New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, PO Box 340, Trenton, NJ 08625-0340.
Include a copy of your DD-214 or discharge papers, the name and address of the high school attended, and the year you would have graduated. Include your
name, address and daytime phone and do not send original documents.
"This is an excellent opportunity to honor our veterans who put aside their personal goals in favor of service to their nation," said Freeholder Director
James F. Lacey.
Lacey noted that Ocean County has the largest veteran population in the state, with more than 68,000 former military men and women calling Ocean County
home.
For more information on Operation Recognition, call the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs at 609-530-6854.
