HARRIS, Mich. (WZMQ) – This graduation season, a very special honor was given to a local veteran more than 50 years after high school. Dan Burns of Winnebago County, Wisconsin says the recognition from his grandchildren’s school was unbelievable.
“This was something I never expected,” he laughed.
Burns served in the United States Marines from 1969 to 1971, leaving his high school days behind to serve overseas in the Philippines at a nuclear facility. In order to work under top-secret clearance, a GED or high school diploma was necessary. However, what was left of Dan’s educational record had since been lost in a fire.
On Tuesday evening at a Bark River-Harris board meeting, he was given an honorary high school diploma for his service.
“Dan had told me that he had completed his GED, but the place that had the record burned down, so he never received it and was interested in having it,” said Burns’ VA Nurse, Dawn Jarvey.
Jarvey had worked with the school district to allow for the recognition, and says it was no question to where he wanted to receive it from.
“The district had asked if there was anywhere that he specifically wanted to go. He chose Bark River because his grandchildren go here,” she said. “To be able to do this for him has been an honor, it’s been everything I’ve ever wanted to advocate for, it’s something we take for granted on an everyday basis.”
On top of his honorary graduation, Burns turns 75 this week.
