US Army Veteran Who Withdrew from High School to Serve in Vietnam War Receives High School Diploma Before Central High School Football Game

Manuel Gonzales attended San Angelo Central High School from 1956-1959. In 1959, he withdrew from high school to enlist in the United States Army and served as a US Army Specialist in the Vietnam Era War, never earning his high school diploma. Texas Education Code 28.0251 allows for school districts to issue high school diplomas to certain veterans.* 

“Central High School was honored to award Mr. Gonzales his diploma,” said Central HS Principal Jill Ross. “He epitomizes the graduates that we strive to produce – individuals who are committed to their families, communities, and to education. He is a patriot who we count as one of our own. He represents everything good about being a Bobcat.”

San Angelo ISD recognizes what a tremendous sacrifice Mr. Gonzales made to forgo the opportunity to earn a high school diploma in exchange for serving the United States during the Vietnam War. For his selfless act of service, San Angelo ISD honored Mr. Gonzales and his family before the Central High School football game against Belton on September 20. 

SAISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Taylor Kingman, SAISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran and Central High School Principal Jill Ross presented Mr. Gonzales with a Central High School diploma and letterman jacket. Representative Drew Darby presented Mr. Gonzales with a certificate and a flag flown over the State Capitol, in Mr. Gonzales’ honor. 

District Director for Congressman August Pfluger’s office Karin Kuykendall presented Mr. Gonzales with a certificate and a flag flown over the US Capitol in his honor. “Like many brave Americans at the time, Mr. Manuel Gonzales put his country over his education to defend the freedoms and liberties of our country,” said Congressman August Pfluger. “It was my honor to present a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Congressional Certificate to Mr. Gonzales for his service during the Vietnam War. His sacrifice and commitment to the United States is inspiring to us all.”

Luis Martinez from the All Veterans Council of Tom Green County and the Disabled American Veterans participated in the final portion of Mr. Gonzales’ recognition. Mr. Martinez presented Mr. Gonzales with a commemorative Vietnam War Lapel Pin. The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin serves as a lasting memento of the Nation’s appreciation. All living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin. Mr. Gonzales never received his.

“The recognition of Mr. Gonzales is one that has taken a while but proves many things,” Mr. Martinez said. “It shows the determination of Mr. Gonzales. After all these years after service, he still found that it was important to get his high school degree. The recognition shows that Mr. Gonzales, in an extreme time of need for our country, decided to put service before self … Mr. Gonzales, like many Vietnam Veterans, did not receive the welcome home that they should have. Central High School and the All Veterans Council of Tom Green County ensured that Mr. Gonzales, as with all of our Vietnam Veterans, that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. The actions of Central and the San Angelo community is direct proof of why San Angelo is the heart of the Veteran community in Texas.”

After his recognition, Mr. Gonzales, his wife, his children and his grandchildren exited the football field, on the 40-yard line, under a saber arch presented by the Central HS JROTC.

The district extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Gonzales and his family and honors him for the strength, courage, dedication and sacrifices involved in serving our Nation and protecting our freedom.

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*Education Code Sec. 28.0251. High School Diploma for Certain Veterans 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a school district may issue a high school diploma to a person who:
     (1)   is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States;
     (2)   was scheduled to graduate from high school:
                (A)   after 1940 and before 1975; or
                (B)   after 1989; and
     (3)   left school after completing the sixth or a higher grade, before graduating from high
     school, to serve in:
                (A)   World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq
                War, or the war in Afghanistan; or
                (B)   any other war formally declared by the United States, military engagement
                authorized by the United States Congress, military engagement authorized by a United
                Nations Security Council resolution and funded by the United States Congress, or
                conflict authorized by the president of the United States under the War Powers
                Resolution of 1973 (50 U.S.C. Section 1541 et seq.).
(b)   A school district may issue a diploma to a person otherwise eligible under Subsection (a) notwithstanding the fact that the person holds a high school equivalency certificate or is deceased.
(c)   The commissioner by rule shall adopt a form for a diploma application to be used by a veteran or a person acting on behalf of a deceased veteran under this section. The commissioner shall specify acceptable evidence of eligibility for a diploma under this section.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 187, Sec. 1, eff. May 19, 2001.Amended by:Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 540 (H.B. 1058), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 642 (S.B. 966), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.

Source: Section 28.0251 — High School Diploma for Certain Veterans, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.28.htm#28.0251