Veteran returns to RHS to be honored with his diploma
October 18, 2018
A very special and long-awaited graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday, October 3rd, at Renton High School. This ceremony was for Frank Mead, 83, who received his long-awaited diploma, nearly 65 years after leaving to join the Marines.
After learning about a program that could finally help him achieve his long-time goal of graduating– Mead went online, filled out the application, and submitted it to the state of Washington’s Operation Recognition. He was soon approved and on his way to the graduation he always dreamed of.
When asked how he felt after receiving his diploma, Mead revealed just how significant it was to him.
“It was exciting, a feeling of gratitude to the staff… It made me feel whole, it was as important to me as my accomplishments in the Marine Corps,” he explained.
After being questioned as to what drove his decision of dropping out at seventeen, he revealed one of the driving factors.
“At that time there were a lot of Marines coming back to Renton from the war from Korea… Well we visited them-– a lot of us and decided we were gonna go to the Marine Corps when we graduated… I opted to leave. My grades were terrible, I had problems with the curriculum. It was easy for me… There were a lot of Marines coming back from the Korean war. I decided that it might be time for me to go early,” Mead confessed.
Despite his decision, Mead’s parents were hesitant to let him go.
“Well that delayed part of my going, and they didn’t want to sign a release right away for me, but I convinced them that I thought that’s what was best for the time being,” Mead explained.
After getting his parents’ permission, Mead ended up serving in the Marines for many years.
“20 years went by faster than I thought it would. After you, after you finish the first investment, I opted to do mine, so it’d come out even. So, the first one was four years, the next one was six years-– well the next two was six years each and then four more. And then I had some medical issues from the service and they kept me for another three months,” Mead recounted.
His ceremony was held in front of the school and filled with cheers and applause from both students and teachers alike.
After being asked about what he would do with his diploma, he shared about how he would protect and display it.
“I’m going to put it in a special den in a glass box,” Mead shared.
On his way out, Mead shared a last piece of wisdom for others like him. He was happy to share his tips for success.
“Go online, get the application, and submit,” Mead recommended.
Mead has fulfilled his longtime dream and will return home with his brand-new plaque that reads “Class of 2018.”
