WW II vets to receive high school diplomas
Posted 5/31/01

The blur of Memorial Day celebrations and high school graduation ceremonies filling the end of May and beginning of June have been with us for nearly as long as most people can remember.

This year, four of Milacaís WW II veterans and the graduating class of 2001 will blend the memories of these life changing events even more as Milaca High School honors its young graduates along with four veterans of the second "war to end all wars" in a joint graduation ceremony Sunday, June 3 beginning at 2 p.m.

Roy Billmark, class of 1941, Irvin Brinwall, class of 1941, Ray Hoversten, class of 1942 and George Wilkins, class of 1944, all veterans of World War II who served in various branches of the service, will receive their high school diplomas in a program that began last year in Minnesota.

The program behind the diplomas, called Operation Recognition, was founded in Massachusetts last year by the Department of Veterans Services and supported by state lawmakers.

To receive diplomas today, veterans must have served in the armed forces between Sept. 16, 1940, and Dec. 31, 1946, and have been honorably discharged.

This is the second year the Minnesota Veteranís Graduation Program has been in effect.

"The Milaca Schools are participating in the State of Minnesota World War II Veterans graduation program in a rather unique way," wrote Milaca School Superintendent Barbra Zakrajsek in a recent press release. "While most school districts send the diploma to the veteran, Milaca will honor these veterans by having them on stage during the regular commencement ceremony.

"The four WWII veterans will be part of the high school graduation ceremony along with 130 seventeen and eighteen year old Milaca seniors receiving their diplomas."

Zakrajsek noted that back at the time when the United States became involved in the Second World War, there were hundreds of young men who enlisted and bravely served our country. When they returned, following the war, family obligations resulted in their attention being drawn to jobs and family activities. Consequently, some of these soldiers did not graduate from high school.

"With the startup of the Minnesota Veterans Graduation Program a year ago the state education department authorized school districts to grant these honorably discharged veterans high school diplomas based on their service to their country, the lives they have led and life's lessons they have learned along the way," wrote Zakrajsek.

Roy Billmark

"Itís a little far down the pike here, but better late than never," said Roy Billmark regarding his graduation and the high school diploma heíll receive in next Sundayís ceremony.

"I was in the 11th grade when I had the chance to go to work for the Milwaukee Rail- road. In those days, if a young man had a chance to take a job, it was the smart thing to do."

Billmarkís work with the railroad gave him seniority before he signed up for the Merchant Marines in 1943. It also made it possible for him to return to the railroad when his service ended in 1947.

Billmark served in the Merchant Marines during the war. He served on 11 different ships during that time. His basic training was accomplished at Sheepís Head Bay in Brooklyn, New York.

He married his wife Joyce in December of 1948 and raised six children.

Billmark worked as a self-employed contractor after the railroad went defunct in the early 1970s.

"Iím pretty excited about getting the diploma," he said.

Irvin Brinwall

Irvin Brinwall enlisted in 1943 and served in the southwest Pacific until 1946.

Brinwall went into army training on the tank destroyers, but ended up a driver in the amphibious tractor batallion.

He was active in five invasions in the southwest Pacific and participated in the last battle of WW II in Borneo.

Brinwall wouldíve graduated in 1941, but was two credits shy and, as was common in that day, went to work when the opportunity presented itself.

In 1950 he married Geraldine O'Donnell and raised 4 children. After a long career at both Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Daytons, he retired in 1984.

"I heard about the program at the local American Legion post and some of my friends encouraged me to do it. I decided it would be nice to have it," said Brinwall.

"Itís pretty exciting and I look forward to having my family with me at the graduation."

Ray Hoversten

Ray Hoversten and his wife Phyllis (Gravel) live in Onamia.

Hoversten attended District 8 school (the present Faith Christian School) through 8th grade when he transferred to Milaca.

At age 17, with his 18th birthday just days away, Hoversten enlisted in the Army and spent the next few years in Africa, Sicily, and Italy.

"When I was in Africa I saw another Milaca soldier, George Cline, and then in Italy I was with Steve Kiel some of the time," he said.

Hoversten returned to the United States in November of 1945.

He married several months later and together with his wife raised four children.

He spent many years transporting livestock as well as driving school bus.

"I found out about the veteran diploma program through an ad in the Legion magazine and spoke to a field service officer about it," said Hoversten. "Iím looking forward to it. I already have my cap and gown and Iím excited about practice on Wednesday," he said.

"Iíve waited a long time for this, but itís like they say, ëItís worth the hassle, for the tassel.í"

George Wilkins

Veteran George Wilkins, class of 1944, joined the Navy and served from 1944 until 1946.

Wilkins attended the Pease School through the eighth grade when he began work on the family farm.

His Navy tour placed him in the Philippines where he experienced tent living while he loaded guns on Merchant Marine ships.

Upon his return to the states, George married Naomi Mickelson, his wife of 56 years. Together they raised seven children and farmed near Pease until 1979.

"I think this is great," said Wilkins. "Iím looking forward to it very much."

The Milaca Secondary School graduation ceremony will be held Sunday June 3 at 2p.m. in the new gym at Milaca Secondary School.