Richard Remp, a 98-year-old Marine veteran from Sharon, Pennsylvania had one more goal for his life.
In 1945 he enlisted in the Marines to serve America in World War II. He became a gunnery sergeant and loved it. After World War II he decided he wanted to stay a soldier and went on to fight in the Korean War, and into the Vietnam War. In Dec of 1966 he helped save 9 Marines who were surrounded by Viet Cong forces by firing over 1000 rounds from his helicopter. He received the Combat V for Valor medal for his service
After his time in the Marines ended he retired to Poolesville, Maryland and raised a family. Today he's a father, grandfather and great grandfather. As he said "I've basically accomplished everything I thought as a young man would make a full life."
He recently fell and had to go to the hospital. Doctors discovered that Remp had stage 4 cancer.
His buddies at American Legion Post 247 were visiting with him and discovered the only regret he really had was he didn't graduate high school.
They reached out to Sharon High School and asked if they would give Richard an honorary diploma that he would have received had he not dropped out at 17 to defend his country. At first they were told it would take some time to produce the diploma, but when the district superintendent for Sharon High School, Justi Glaros, learned about the situation, she expedite the process and then drove four and a half hours to deliver the diploma and personally shake Richards' hand.
Richard said "Thank you very much. You people just don’t know what it means to me. I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life. On behalf of myself and the Marine Corps, I thank you very much for what you have done for me. I’ll never forget this. How can I with all you good people around me? I’m really happy.”