Akwesasne veterans awarded high school diplomas

By Shannon Burns

More than forty Akwesasne veterans received a standing ovation Wednesday from hundreds of family members and community members present to witness them receive their state high school diplomas, years after giving up their education to enlist in the armed forces.

Operation Recognition was originally created under Gov. George Pataki to give high school diplomas to World War II veterans. The program has been expanded to include Korean and Vietnam War veterans and this was the first time the recognition ceremony was held for Akwesasne veterans.

Local American Legion officials, tribal chiefs and Salmon River Central School administrators unified Wednesday afternoon – Veteran’s Day – to pay respect to the sacrifice Akwesasne veterans made when giving up their education many years ago.

“Remembering our loved ones is our greatest gift our creator gave us,” said Alma Ransom who helped coordinate the event. “Today we are saying thank you.”

The veterans received a state high school diploma from Salmon River as a well as a commemorative coin specially ordered for them with the emblems of their branch of the armed service.

While many veterans went on to live successful and fulfilling lives despite having left school to enlist, for many of them it might have been the one regret in life they had – not ever receiving the diploma.

“Their life was interrupted and they never looked back,” Ransom said.

American Legion Post 1479 Commander Todd Conners told the veterans, “This is a small token of appreciation. I am honored to have walked the same ground with you guys, I think you’re incredible.”

Conners and Salmon River Superintendent Jane Collins passed out the diplomas and coins to each seated veteran, who stretched across the entire St. Regis Mohawk School gymnasium. When they were finished, the audience gave the men a standing ovation.

The diploma recipients were:

Robert Arquette

Peter Back

Wilbur Barnes

Ludwig Beeson

Patrick Bradley

Patrick Chubb

Barney Cole

Randall Cook

Carl Cook

Alex Cooke

Michael Francis

Leonard Garrow

Ronald Garrow

Arnold Gray

Gary Gray

Edward Herne

Vernon Hopps

David Hopps

Richard Herne

Charles Jacobs

Joseph Jacobs

Edgar Jock

Louis LaFrance

Robert Laughing

Jerry Lazore

Kenneth Lazore

Levi Oakes

Richard Peters

Arnold Printup

Gordon Ransom

Orlo Ransom

Barney Rourke

Nelson Sawatis

Peter Sunday

Harvey Thompson

Kenneth Thompson

Lonnie Thompson

Gerald Waterman

Andrew White

Mike White

Reginald White

Thomas White

The late Chicken Garrow