Members of the ᴍɪʟɪᴛᴀʀʏ will sometimes have to sacrifice major events in their lives to answer the call of duty. That’s exactly what one man did when he was drafted during his high school year to ғɪɢʜᴛ in the ᴠɪᴇᴛɴᴀᴍ ᴡᴀʀ.
Floyd Covey, now 78, was drafted into the Vietnam as a young man—so young that he didn’t even get a chance to finish high school before heading overseas.
Covey fought in the ᴀʀᴍʏ during the ᴡᴀʀ, even receiving the Purple Heart for his heroics. But after returning to civilian life, he never got around to finishing high school—a fact that he said always disappointed his mother, according to WDTV News.
When staff members at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center heard of Covey’s disappointment at never having graduated, they did everything that they could to help him finally get his diploma.
With the help of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance, Covey soon met the requirements for a high school diploma in the state. In May, Covey was invited to attend the commencement ceremony of the Upshur County School District, but an unexpected medical problem prevented the veteran from going to the school’s graduation. But instead of letting his big day go uncelebrated, the VA center decided to hold him a graduation ceremony of their own.
The ceremony was attended by Covey’s brother, VAMC employees, and fellow veterans.
Dr. Sara Stankus and Dr. Deb Harrison, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Upshur County Schools, showed up at the ceremony to hand Covey his long-awaited diploma.
“During a time in his life while others were graduating he was unable to,” said Stankus, according to the Martinsburg VA. “It is our honor to award his well-deserved diploma.”
Timothy Cooke, director of the medical center, also told the news station, “This day really proves that no act is too small to help make a difference in our Veterans’ lives, I am glad we were all able to come together to make this day special for Mr. Covey.” Covey was heard saying as cited by WDTV News that this day would mean everything to his mother and make her proud.
Sources: en.newsner.com, apost.com
