I feel like this is the culmination of a long journey in education, said centenarian veteran Jack Milton, who received his diploma from the University of Maryland in the United States nearly 60 years after graduating. Milton was unable to attend his graduation ceremony in 1966 because he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War.
On Thursday, the 100-year-old veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War thought he was going to a celebration to celebrate his 100th birthday. Instead, Jack Milton received his college diploma after nearly 60 years.
Jack Milton began his studies in the 1960s. He earned enough credits to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and was to receive his diploma at a ceremony in 1966. However, he was previously drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, where he was a pilot. Milton received his graduation document only 58 years later, at the age of one hundred.
“I have been fortunate to attend many ceremonies for many occasions, but this was certainly the most important,” Milton told Fox News.
– I feel this is the culmination of a long journey in education – he added. For many years he had mentioned that he would like to formally receive a diploma from college.
The centenarian received his diploma almost 60 years after graduatingENEX
The 100-year-old veteran received his graduation diploma
University President Gregory Fowler said it was an honor to present Milton with a diploma and mortarboard after several decades. – I hereby confer upon John L. Milton the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Art with all the rights and privileges thereof. “Congratulations,” Fowler said.
After returning from Vietnam, Milton and his wife Symantha were involved in the University of Maryland campus community. They especially supported programs for active duty military and veterans enrolled in the school.
In 2010, the Miltons established a scholarship fund named after John L. and Symantha Milton, which supports volunteers caring for wounded soldiers.
Jack Milton began his studies in the 1960s.ENEX
Milton was a military pilot for 31 years
Milton enrolled at the University of Maryland in the 1960s. At the same time he worked at the Pentagon. Then, as now, the university also offers educational activities to veterans.
Jack Milton was a military pilot for 31 years. He completed over 12,000 flight hours. During his Air Force career, Milton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and served in combat missions in Vietnam.
Main photo source: ENEX