It was a fitting gesture for Veterans Day.

At its Nov. 11 meeting, the Whitehall-Coplay School Board presented diplomas to veterans Bernhard Dougherty Sr., William Focht, Raymond Gangaway, Harvey Seyfried Jr. and Joseph Sommer.

The presentation was part of Operation Veteran Recognition, which allows school districts to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in the military during World War II, the Korean conflict or Vietnam War.

Seyfried, born in 1946, left school at age 17 to work and help his family financially.

"After working for a period of time, Harvey joined the Army in 1963 to serve during the Vietnam War. From 1964 to 1965 he saw active time in Vietnam, serving in the 25th Army Division. During that time, Harvey received many medals, including the Bronze Star and the National Defense Medal. He also qualified as an expert rifleman. Receiving his honorable discharge, Harvey left the Army in October 1968," Corby said.

"Thank you very much for this honor," Seyfried said.

Gangaway enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1967.

"While serving in Vietnam, Raymond was at the Siege of Khe-Sanh during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the Battle of Fox Trot Ridge," Corby said. "After other assignments, he spent the rest of his tour serving the Marine Corps Intelligence Division."

Gangaway returned in 1969, but remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1973 and currently serves as the Junior Vice Commander of the Egypt VFW Post 7293.

"He very proudly points out that he and his fellow veterans, to this day, continue to help and assist our veterans in any way they can," Corby said.

"I appreciate this very much," said Gangaway. "Thank you all."

Focht joined the United States Army August 1950.

"He made his way to Korea on the U.S.S. Acken-Victory, an old World War II Liberty ship. After serving in Korea he came back on the U.S.S. General Breken Ridge," Corby said. "William earned many, many medals. Most notably the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the UN Service Medal."

"All five of my children graduated from here," Focht said. "Thank you for this."

Sommer, who lives in Coplay, attended Coplay High School until November 1951 when the 17-year-old and one of his friends enlisted in the Navy.

"While serving in the Korean War, Joe and his ship made three trips to Korea. They bombarded the coast line 30 to 40 days at a time. During one of their trips they picked up President Eisenhower in Guam and took him back to Pearl Harbor. Overall, Joe and his ship traveled all over the Pacific, China and Japan," Corby said.

"Besides the time spent with my family, they were the best four years of my life," said Sommer. "I'm glad I got to serve."

Dougherty left school in December of 1943, just shy of his 18th birthday, to enlist in the Navy and serve in World War II. In 1944 he was assigned to the U.S.S. Alaska, on which he served until 1946. The ship participated in many operations off Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

"Bernie married, had a family, worked for Arbogast and Bastion Meats, and settled back in his hometown of Catasauqua. One of the highlights of Bernie's life was attending the ship's reunions, which were held in various parts of the country. There, of course, he loved to share his war stories and reunite with those that meant so much to him, his fellow veterans," Corby said. "Bernie unfortunately passed away 15 months ago and he would have celebrated his 88th birthday this week."

His daughter, Nancy Pesarcik, and other family members were present to accept his diploma.

"My father thought education was important and he would be thrilled to get this," Pesarcik said.

"I can honestly say in my nine years, this is a highlight I will never forget," said Corby.