World War II veteran, 96, receives high school diploma decades later
WARWICK, R.I. — A World War II veteran received a special gift last Christmas.
Arthur Masterson's Warwick home has a table of tokens and sentiments his daughter Elaine says are most meaningful to the 96-year-old.
“He’s got his legion hat there. He’s got an award for being a member of the legion for 70 continuous years.”
A few weeks ago, a few more items were added, after his family learned more about his life when he was a senior at East Greenwich High School.
“On Thanksgiving we were here looking through some paperwork that he had and my son-in-law noticed that he had left high school to join the military," said Elaine.
“He served in 11 months in the Navy in World War II, and when Korea War happened he got drafted for the Army for two years.”
Elaine wanted her dad to have his diploma, after all, he was mere months away from graduating before he went to war.
So she sent a detailed email to Superintendent Dr. Brian Ricca, and he was happy to help.
“So often as a superintendent my response even after doing digging and looking is no, it felt so good to say yes," said Ricca.
Right before Christmas, a present from the past was given to their family.
On Christmas Arthur opened a gift, after all these years.
“I believe that military service is what gives us our freedom so the fact that Arthur left high school to serve in World War II to defend our country, it’s easily the right thing to do to say yes. That counts as additional credits to make sure you have a diploma from East Greenwich High School," said Dr. Ricca.
Besides the tassel and newly issued diploma, staff at the high school even added some additional things from his file.
“And they also included his paperwork from 1945. His school record a picture and everything it was crazy," said Elaine.
Everything is now positioned proudly on the patriot's table of triumph, making for a holiday the family will never forget.
“I told the superintendent you’ll never know how much this meant to be able to give that to my dad for Christmas," said Elaine.