Gilbert Amaya receives a hug from Lake County Office of Education board member George Ryder following the office’s Operation Recognition Program on Wednesday afternoon. The program presents long overdue high school diplomas to men and women who had their education cut short due to military service or internment during World War Two, Korea or Vietnam. Amaya served with the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946. Also receiving his diploma on Wednesday was Edward Reynolds, a veteran of the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1944. Representatives from Assemblymember Bill Dodd and state Senator Mike McGuire also recognized the men. – Dave Faries — Lake County Publishing
