Local veterans receive long-awaited diplomas
Two Hot Springs veterans finally received their long-awaited high school diplomas Monday.
Lonnie L. Tidwell and Vivian Gray Erichsen, both Vietnam War veterans from Hot Springs, received their high school diplomas during a special program at Lakeside Middle School. The diplomas were made possible through the Arkansas Department of Education’s Rules Governing Diplomas for Veterans, which allows military personnel who were called to serve in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War before they were able to graduate to receive honorary high school diplomas.
Any school district may offer an honorary diploma in accordance with the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing Diplomas for Veterans of World War II, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Qualifying veterans must have been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America and be a resident of the state of Arkansas.
An article in the Oct. 16 edition of The Sentinel-Record prompted both veterans to reach out to the school
district for this opportunity, according to a school district official.
Darin Landry, principal of Lakeside High School, presented the diplomas, along with Superintendent Shawn Cook, and school board members Carla Mouton and Will Maffit.
“This is a very special day for our country and our veterans,” Landry said. “I would first like to thank all our veterans for their commitment, sacrifice and love for this great country. Nothing we could do would ever repay you for your service.
“Today, not only do we want to show our appreciation for all that you have done, we also want to honor you and grant the high school diploma you have more than earned. Education is something that as Americans we hold dearly. It is because of your sacrifice and dedication that our current students are still able to receive high levels of education. Just as our current students work diligently to earn their diplomas, I know that these two U.S. veterans worked diligently through their educations, their sacrifices and their passions for protecting and serving others.”
Both Erichsen and Tidwell were joined by their families for this special occasion.
“It’s the greatest thing to happen to me,” Tidwell, a U.S. Army veteran, told The Sentinel-Record. Originally from Hot Springs, he said he volunteered for the service before he was able to complete high school.
Erichsen also said it’s wonderful to finally get her diploma.
“I went almost through the 12th grade, and then I went in the Navy,” she said. “I was a dental assistant and after I got out, that’s what I did for a career for 40 years.”
Erichsen said she was a student at Lakeside School District and regretted not finishing high school.
“I had the GED, but I have regretted not having my diploma,” she said. “But this is wonderful.”