96-year-old American graduated almost 80 years later
American WWII veteran Raymond Schaefer received his diploma from the Waterford Union School in Wisconsin. The unusual graduate is 96 years old, reports Insider.
Schaefer dropped out of the Racine County Agricultural School in the 1940s to help his family and serve in the army, but he later went to the front.
Returning from the war, Schaefer worked in the manufacture of equipment for several decades. The school in Racine was closed in 1959, and later the man regretted that he had not been able to finish his studies.
“He said something like, 'I wish I had a high school diploma, but I was too stupid for that.' In fact, this is not the case. He dropped out to help the family, ”said family friend Cynthia Bennett.
The veteran was awarded a diploma at a specially organized ceremony. During the celebration, the 96-year-old graduate also received a traditional robe and hat. The event was attended by Schaefer's friends and family, current students at the local Waterford Union High School, and an orchestra performing a musical number.
Earlier, the American married his high school love 63 years after graduation. The newlyweds celebrated this event in a circle of relatives and friends in a family restaurant in the style of the 50s of the last century.
