0
0
Poolesville, MD – A 98-year-old Marine veteran who enlisted at 17 during World War II was awarded a high school diploma just two days before his death, marking a poignant end to a life dedicated to service and sacrifice.
Richard Remp, receiving hospice care in Maryland, received his diploma on a Friday thanks to a whirlwind effort that saw one school superintendent driving 4.5 hours to reach him in time. He passed away on Sunday, said James Cappuccilli, the second vice commander of American Legion Post 247 in Poolesville, Maryland.
“All the dominoes lined up,” said Cappuccilli, a Marine veteran. “And if one little piece was not in place, none of this would have occurred.”
Remp’s journey began during World War II when he joined the Marine Corps at just 17. He served with distinction for over 20 years, including as a gunnery sergeant and door gunner in the Vietnam War—a role he could have avoided but chose to undertake. His bravery was most notably demonstrated during a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam in December 1966, where he helped extract nine Marines surrounded by Viet Cong forces. Remp’s helicopter hovered over the pickup area for more than an hour under fire, during which he fired over 1,000 rounds at the enemy, enabling the rescue of his comrades.
Despite his proven toughness, Remp was known as a gentle and kind man. “You would have never known he was a Marine, other than we talked a lot of Marine stuff,” Cappuccilli said, describing him as “a peach” with a mischievous sense of humor.
The idea to honor Remp with a high school diploma came from Cappuccilli in February. Initially believing that Remp was a graduate of Sharon High School in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Cappuccilli contacted school officials there. Justi Glaros, superintendent of the Sharon City School District, quickly agreed to speak with her school board to see what could be done.
Glaros discovered that Pennsylvania allows high school diplomas to be awarded to veterans who didn’t graduate because they served in World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Remp had served in all three conflicts.
“From our board, it was no question, 100%, we would like to give Mr. Remp an honorary diploma,” Glaros said.
However, as she dug through yearbooks, Glaros found that Remp had actually attended a different high school nearby. This revelation set off another round of coordination to secure the diploma from the correct school.
On May 14, Cappuccilli learned that Remp had been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer and was in hospice care. He informed Glaros, who then reached out to the nearby school, but they were unable to expedite the process. Determined, Glaros spoke to her own school board president and got Remp’s diploma printed by Friday morning. Knowing it might not reach him in time if mailed, she decided to deliver it herself, driving 4.5 hours to Maryland.
As Glaros stepped out of her car, Cappuccilli told her, “You’re going to heaven, because this act puts you there.”
Meeting the WWII veteran was an overwhelming experience for Glaros. “It was just an incredible honor to be able to give that to him,” she said. “When I was speaking with him, it was like we had been best friends forever.”
Remp, surrounded by family and friends, expressed his happiness and gratitude. “You people just don’t know what it means to me,” he said. “I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life.”
Even as he began to fade, Remp spoke with pride about his diploma the following day. Marine veteran Julien Singh, commander of American Legion Post 247, recounted how Remp’s eyes shone with pride despite his declining health.
Glaros reflected on the experience, emphasizing the importance of kindness and honoring those who have served. “For me, it was a no-brainer,” she said. “It was just an act of kindness.”
Richard Remp’s story is a testament to the enduring spirit of our veterans and the profound impact of simple acts of recognition and gratitude. His life, marked by bravery and gentleness, was fittingly honored with a diploma that symbolized his commitment and dedication.
Source: Marine Corps Times
