Sixty four years after leaving high school, a Korean War veteran finally got his chance to walk across the stage and graduate.

  • Korean War veteran receives high school diploma six decades later
  • Marty Sullivan, 83, missed graduation to fight in Korean War
  • Florida offers diplomas to eligible military vets 

Marty Sullivan, 83, received an honorary high school diploma Friday at Newsome High School's graduation.

Sullivan missed his own graduation because he went to fight in the Korean War during his junior year of high school.

Six decades later, Sullivan decided to fill out paperwork to receive an honorary high school diploma.

"The service officer asked me if I wanted her to help me get my diploma, I was like, ‘Okay, go ahead,’" Sullivan said.

Once he put on the cap and gown and walked across the stage, Sullivan was happy he went through with it all.

"When I got this in my hand, I said, 'Okay I guess it was worth it,'" Sullivan said as he showed off his diploma.

Florida offers a high school diploma to any eligible military veteran who left high school to serve the country.

Sullivan hoped other veterans would take advantage of getting their high school diplomas, too.

"You got the opportunity and you don't take it, you a damn fool," Sullivan said.