Jonathan Myers receives his diploma from Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education President Wendy Dyment.

Fifty-four years after he earned it, Jonathon Myers was finally awarded his high school diploma.

The 72-year-old Westfield resident was given his diploma in a special ceremony at the Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education meeting on Feb. 24. His wife and five children were present as Board President Wendy Dyment handed him his diploma.

Myers is a Vietnam veteran who was overseas from October,1972 until January, 1974, and was discharged from the military in May of ’74. Upon returning to Westfield, Myers said he tried to obtain his diploma.

“My commander told me to make sure to go to my school and pick up my diploma, so that’s what I attempted to do,” he said. “The guidance counselor told me he couldn’t do that because it would be unfair for the other classmates who did it the right way!”

Myers received his diploma last month through the Operation Recognition Program. According to the New York State Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Operation Recognition is a program that awards high school diplomas to veterans who left school early to serve in the military. The program honors veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Operation Recognition was established in 1999 to recognize and honor eligible veterans by awarding them with their high school diplomas if they were deployed before graduating.

WACS Interim Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle said the district was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the program. “Through Operation Recognition, we’ve had the privilege of acknowledging his service and providing him with the diploma he so rightfully earned, she said. “His achievement is an inspiration to our students, faculty, and the entire community.”

After being discharged, Myers worked for 26 years in heavy machining. In later years, he operated his own business in masonry chimney repair and cleaning. He and his wife, Dixie, have been married for 41 years and they live in the same home in which he grew up in the 1960’s.

“My wife and I have five children, four girls and one boy,” Myers said. “All are graduates of Westfield Academy and all have professional degrees!”

Myers said he is proud to receive the diploma, more for his children than for himself. “I deserved it for the last 54 years, but after all those years, for me, it wasn’t such a big thing anymore,” he said. “Now, it is more for my children and grandkids! Pride for them and to right a very long lasting wrong.”

The Westfield Academy and Central School District is pleased to be a part of righting that wrong, and is very proud of Myers. “We are very honored to celebrate Mr. Myers’ long-awaited graduation,” said O’Boyle. “His dedication to our nation during the Vietnam War, and his continued commitment to personal growth, exemplifies the very spirit of lifelong learning.”