(Norwich Bulletin) Linares backs diplomas for Vietnam veterans

(Norwich Bulletin) Colchester, Conn. — State Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, on Wednesday applauded the Connecticut State Senate’s bipartisan approval of a proposal to honor Vietnam-era veterans who left school early to join the armed forces.

The proposal, which Linares is co-sponsoring, would allow the state’s Commissioner of Education to issue an honorary high school diploma to any veteran who did not complete high school due to service in the armed forces during the Vietnam era.

This proposal is similar to a measure which became state law in 2011. That law allowed boards of education to award high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean War who left school early to enlist in the armed forces in service to their country.

The bill now heads to the state House of Representatives for a vote.

Linares represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.