Current:Home > MarketsWorld War II veteran awarded Pennsylvania high school diploma 2 days before his death at age 98-InfoLens
World War II veteran awarded Pennsylvania high school diploma 2 days before his death at age 98
View Date:2024-12-23 22:11:49
Poolesville, Maryland — At a ceremony in Poolesville, Maryland, earlier this month, American Legion Post 247 paid special tribute to one of its own, the late Gunnery Sgt. Richard Remp.
"He was a Marine," friend Julien Singh said. "He was most proud of being a Marine."
Remp, who everyone called Gunny, quit high school his senior year to serve in World War II, and stayed in the Marines through the Vietnam War. Friends Julien Singh and James Cappuccilli say he was highly decorated.
Despite all his extraordinary accomplishments, there was still one thing left for Remp to do: receive his high school diploma.
"That was his sort of farewell wish," Singh said.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania law allows any honorably discharged veteran of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War to receive an honorary high school diploma. Unfortunately, it takes time, and Remp had just days to live.
Nevertheless, his friends, in desperation, reached out to school officials in his hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania.
Sharon City School District Superintendent Justi Glaros took the call.
"I have a lot of passion for the men and women that serve our country, and just everything inside of me said, 'Yes, go, do it,'" Glaros told CBS News.
She expedited the request, and then went the extra mile, or more like the extra 550 miles, driving nearly five hours each way to hand-deliver his diploma to Remp at his home.
"It was overwhelming," Glaros said. "And I knew that he had been weak, but in that moment he wasn't. He was all in."
Remp died May 19 at the age of 98, just two days after receiving his diploma.
"The last thing he really remembered was getting that high school diploma from Justi," Singh said.
- In:
- U.S. Marine Corps
- World War II
- Veterans
Steve Hartman is a CBS News correspondent. He brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he meets in his weekly award-winning feature segment "On the Road."
TwitterveryGood! (154)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
- How to protect your Social Security number from the Dark Web
- North Carolina offers schools $1 million to help take students on field trips
- Amazon Best Books of 2024 revealed: Top 10 span genres but all 'make you feel deeply'
- Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
- Full House's John Stamos Shares Message to Costar Dave Coulier Amid Cancer Battle
- Rachael Ray Details Getting Bashed Over Decision to Not Have Kids
- Inflation ticked up in October, CPI report shows. What happens next with interest rates?
Ranking
- Federal judge denies request to block measure revoking Arkansas casino license
- Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
- Jason Statham Shares Rare Family Photos of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Their Kids on Vacation
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
- California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
- Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
- Full House's John Stamos Shares Message to Costar Dave Coulier Amid Cancer Battle
Recommendation
-
US Diplomats Notch a Win on Climate Super Pollutants With Help From the Private Sector
-
Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Jana Kramer’s Ex Mike Caussin Shares Resentment Over Her Child Support Payments
-
Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
-
Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
-
OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
-
Review: 'Emilia Pérez' is the most wildly original film you'll see in 2024