WC Wisconsin News

For Cecil Berlin, the moment was well worth the wait.

More than seven decades ago, Berlin enlisted in the Military without attending high school, only to return recently to walk the stage as an Osseo-Fairchild High Class of '22 graduate.

“It was something that I really, not knowing I was going to get,” the 88-year-old Korean War veteran told WIProud.com. “It came about in a surprise through the family getting a hold of the right people and everything that came that day for what it is today. I really appreciate what they did because it’s really an honor to have a high school diploma.”

Berlin remembers he stopped going to school after eighth grade and worked on the family farm until he turned 17 and joined the Navy.

Using a state and federal program that awards veterans their high school diplomas, Berlin’s family was able to put all the pieces together in bringing his special day together on May 29.

“In some cases, that’s an honorary diploma, and other cases where the board approves it, it’s an actual diploma and that’s what we gave to Cecil,” said Osseo-Fairchild school board member Gerald Bodway.

Making the experience all the more magical, Berlin had two grandsons who also graduated high school this year.

“This morning, I was getting a card ready for the one that just graduated Saturday night and wrote it took me a little longer to get my diploma,” Berlin said with a laugh.

Still, Berlin insists he wouldn’t have done things any differently.

“My intention was I’m going to go on the Navy because I had an uncle that was in the Navy and World War II and I thought he was the greatest guy in the world, so I guess I was following his footsteps,” he said.

As for his actual diploma, Berlin said, “Probably at my age of 88, it will probably be a showpiece instead of something I’ll have to have to get a job.”