PINEVILLE - A graduation ceremony for WWII and Korean War veterans was held Thursday at Bell County High School. The recognized veterans had given up their opportunity to complete their high school education in order to serve their country in the armed forces during a time of war. Each received their high school diploma during the ceremony, completing a journey that, for some, they had long been waiting for.

"I had watched my children cross that stage and wondered how it felt," said WWII Veteran Leland Idol. "Now I know. It feels pretty good."

The diplomas were made possible by recent bills passed by the Kentucky legislature.  The first bill, passed in 2001, was co-sponsored by State Rep. Rick Nelson.  It allows for veterans of WWII who did not finish their education due to entering active service in the military to receive an honorary high school diploma. A later bill gave the same privileges to Korean War veterans.

"It's the very least we could do for these veterans who have served our country," said Bell County Superintendent George Thompson.

Thursday's ceremony was the first issuing of diplomas to a group of veterans in Bell County. Several other veterans have already received diplomas, but they opted not to participate in last night's recognition. Instead, they received their diplomas by mail or simply picked them up from the district office.

"From the heart and soul of everyone in the Bell County School District, we thank you," said Thompson.

Humble honor and sometimes anguish were written on the veteran's faces as they held back tears while others spoke of their sacrifice and those who were lost in the war effort.

"I'm afraid that our young people today don't realize what a sacrifice that these men made," said Nelson. "They have video games about war, they see movies about war, they see TV about war, but that's not war. War is when you're in a foxhole with your buddy one minute, and the next minute he's gone."

Several diplomas were issued to family members because their loved one had passed away before they could receive their diploma in person. The ceremony was dedicated to one such veteran, William H. Billing, who passed away only days ago. Billing was a Korean veteran who, according to organizer Brandy Fee King, had been greatly looking forward to walking across the stage during the ceremony to receive his diploma. His grandson received it in his stead.

Rep. Nelson concluded his speech with a recommendation to the young students present at the ceremony.

"A basketball player is not a hero. A baseball player is not a hero. If you want to meet a real hero, then go talk to one of these men tonight," Nelson said.

Hopes are that more Bell County veterans can be honored with a diploma in another ceremony in the future.

If you are a veteran, or if you know a veteran, of WWII or Korea that did not receive their high school diploma, contact Brandy Fee King at 337-7051 the Bell County Board of Education for more information.

Those veterans in attendance to receive their diplomas during the ceremony are pictured at left. On the front row, from left to right are Lloyd Idol, WWII; Johnnie Asher, WWII; Gabe Howard, WWII; John Lee, WWII & Korea; Earl Helton, WWII; and Chesley Miracle, Korea. On the back row, from left to right are Truman Partin, Korea; Gillis Hobbs, Korea; William Thompson WWII; Benis Venable, Korea; Leleand Idol, WWII; and Ray Bailey, WWII & Korea.

Not pictured but receiving diplomas were Billia James Begley, WWII; William H. Billing, Korea; Richard Caldwell, Korea; Stanley Caldwell, Korea; H.B. Dozier, Korea; Jasper Lefevers, Korea; Robert Sizemore, WWII; Raymond Williams, WWII; and Ransey Young, WWII.