Dying Marine’s Last Wish Fulfilled
When a dying veteran’s last wish was to receive a high school diploma, a superintendent and an American Legion Outpost commander made it happen.
Their efforts ensured that Richard Remp, a marine who sacrificed his education to fight in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, was awarded an honorary diploma. Remp, originally from Sharon, PA, and living in Poolesville, MD, had seen another elderly marine receive a diploma and wished for the same honor.
Superintendent Justi Glaros of the Sharon School District and James Cappuccilli, vice commander of Legion Post 247, teamed up to fulfill this wish. Although Remp attended a neighboring high school, Glaros obtained approval from her school board to print a diploma from their high school.
With Remp’s health rapidly declining due to stage 4 prostate cancer, Glaros drove four-and-a-half hours to personally deliver the diploma in a graduation ceremony at his home.
“The last thing he remembers is receiving the diploma,” said American Legion Post 247 Commander Julian Singh. Remp passed away on May 19th at the age of 98, having received a combat commendation ‘V’ for valor for his bravery in helping fellow Marines evacuate safely from enemy territory.