For members of the Greatest Generation, age really just is a number.
As reported by WAFF, a World War II veteran in Jackson County graduated from high school on Monday at the age of 92.
Sam Tipton could not graduate 75 years ago because he was serving the country. Fast forward to 2018, and a moving ceremony was held for this special graduate at Scottsboro High School, where he received a resounding standing ovation.
In an interview with WAFF, he called the graduation the third biggest event in his life.
“Number one: when the good Lord saved me. Number two was a wonderful wife for 65 years,” Tipton said.
Tipton was not drafted, however, he still got into World War II at the age of 17 when a family member signed the papers saying they approved.
“I loved the Navy better than I did any other branch of service. I like them white sheets so I had to quit school and join the Navy,” Tipton explained.
The State of Alabama now approves for diplomas to be given to citizens who leave school to serve the country in the armed forces. That was a welcome surprise to Tipton when he stopped by his local veteran’s office recently.
“I thought I’d done past all of it but he asked me would I like to get it, and I said yes,” Tipton shared.
Then, school officials confirmed Tipton’s records, setting up Monday’s main event. He may have been on stage over 70 years late, but for this Alabama hero, there is no better time than the present.
Tipton urged seniors in the audience to get their diplomas as well, but added that college probably was not in his future.
“No, I don’t think I will at 92. I think I will just live the rest of it out on the farm,” Tipton concluded.
Watch the full report here.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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