Shaler Area School District was proud to recognize Veterans Day 2015 by presenting a Vietnam War veteran with his high school diploma.

Administration awarded Mr. Richard Smorey, 66, with a Shaler Area High School diploma during a special ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Mr. Smorey attended Millvale High School from 1965 to 1967. He was slated to graduate in 1969, but left in April 1967 to join the U.S. Marine Corps and serve in the Vietnam War. He spent 13 months serving in Vietnam and was honorably discharged March 1970 after reaching the rank of sergeant and earning several decorations including the Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

In 1971, Millvale, Etna, Reserve and Shaler merged to form Shaler Area School District. As part of Operation Recognition, school districts are authorized to grant a high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who served in the United States military during World War II, Korean Conflict or Vietnam War.