|
|
Published April 11, 2008 06:55 pm - RIVERTON, Kan. — Charles “Buddy” Venturella said Friday that he never imagined he would ever receive his high-school diploma, after putting high school on hold to join the U.S. Navy during World War II.
World War II veteran receives diploma
By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
RIVERTON, Kan. — Charles “Buddy” Venturella said Friday that he never imagined he would ever receive his high-school diploma, after putting high school on hold to join the U.S. Navy during World War II.
But Venturella, 83, received his honorary diploma Friday from Riverton High School amid fanfare and speeches. A state program, Operation Recognition, allows military veterans whose lives were interrupted by World War II to receive their diplomas.
Venturella served in the U.S. Navy from May 1943 to February 1946, attaining the rank of Boatswain’s Mate, Second Class.
Paul Sims, Venturella’s pastor at the Galena First Christian Church, said during the ceremony in the high-school auditorium that one of Venturella’s sons told him that his father was unable to graduate because of a prior commitment.
When he announced Friday’s honor to the congregation on Sunday, Sims said Venturella told congregants he was looking forward to going on the senior trip.
“This country is great because of men and women like Buddy,” Sims said.
State Rep. Doug Gatewood, D-Columbus, said he didn’t have adequate words to thank Venturella for his service. Gatewood presented Venturella with a recognition certificate from the Kansas House of Representatives.
State Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Shawnee County, provided some of Venturella’s personal and family history. She said Venturella’s grandfather, Vincenzo, arrived in New Orleans from Italy in 1892. Before joining the Navy, Venturella worked in the lead and zinc mines in Southeast Kansas with his father, Joe.
Schmidt said while Venturella was in the Navy he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, rebuilding the naval base that had been heavily damaged by the Japanese attack in 1941.
After the war, Venturella married, and he and his wife raised two sons. He worked 26 years at EaglePicher in Galena and 16 years at B.F. Goodrich in Miami, Okla.
Schmidt said Venturella accomplished all that without ever owning a credit card, a cell phone or a computer and without a high-school diploma until that day.
“He is an American story,” Schmidt said. “He is the American dream.”
Schmidt presented Venturella with a recognition certificate from the Kansas Senate.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2005 FORD FOCUS
4 cylinder, 5 speed, 134,000 miles, $3495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
FORD, 1997 F150
V8, automatic, extended cab, high miles, $2600. (417)214-0145....>MORE
2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT
loaded, 1 owner, 94,000 miles, nice. (417)385-7755...>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
1979 SATURN
GOOD Economical car, 1979 Saturn, $2000 firm, cash only. (620)783-1751....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1999 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE
Delegance, Michelin tires, Northstar, vinyl top, loaded, $3900/or offer. (417)850-0731....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
See all ads |
|
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
ANTIQUES FOR SALE
blue sette $350 2 lamps $75 coffee table $35 2 half side tables $35 2 mauve 60's chairs $225 will e-mail photos. 417-673...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE
SCHNAUZERS
one white puppy, one registered silver adult female, one white adult male. (417)437-0300....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|