95-Year-Old WWII Veteran Will Finally Graduate From High School After Having Waited Almost 80 Years

May 29, 2019 by apost team

As summer arrives and people look forward to a time of peaceful relaxation, seniors across the country are preparing for their high school graduation ceremonies. After studying for four years and making amazing experiences with their classmates, these young men and women look forward to starting their adult lives.

However, one high school in Arizona is being honored with a very special member of their graduating class. 

95-year-old Charles Hall will be graduating with Snowflake High School’s Class of 2019. The nonagenarian is the real-life Captain America, having left high school in 1943 to serve his country in World War II.

In his teens, Charles had already reached the pinnacle of success. The young man was elected class president in his junior year and was a major sports star, having played on three varsity teams and even becoming a renowned boxer. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Charles knew that he had to serve his country.

While many urged him to defer his service until he graduated from high school, Charles felt that it was his duty to join the military and fight for the freedom of others.

apost.com

Charles served in the Marine Corps during World War II, having been part of the first wave of the invasion force on the fortress island of Okinawa. Charles earned seven awards for his service with the Marine Corps, including the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Arrowhead. 

After serving his country in World War II, Charles continued serving others by joining the workforce to support his family.

While always regretting that he never graduated from high school, Charles has led a very full life and has been rewarded with a large, loving family. The veteran has 13 children, 52 grandchildren, 155 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

It was the love of his family that eventually helped Charles finally get his high school diploma after nearly 80 years.

In a speech at the commencement ceremony, Charles’s son in law gave an emotional tribute to the World War II veteran, telling those in attendance that graduating from high school was the ultimate dream come true for a man who spent his entire life in service to others and who helped shape his community. 

You can watch more about Charles in the video below:

Do you know anyone who has fulfilled his or her lifelong dream at an older age? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to spread the positivity by showing this story to your loved ones!