LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Office of Education awards high school diplomas to qualifying U.S. veterans and Japanese-American citizens through the Operation Recognition program.

Operation Recognition honors the contributions and sacrifices of individuals who missed completing high school to serve in the U.S. military — specifically World War II or the Korean War — or were relocated to a World War II internment camp for Japanese-American citizens.

Residents of Lake County are encouraged to request diplomas on behalf of themselves or qualifying family members, including persons now deceased.

Following an application screening process, qualified applicants may be invited to receive their high school diploma at a regularly scheduled County Board of Education meeting.

Qualifications for an Operation Recognition diploma include:

· Applicant is a current or former Lake County resident;
· Veterans — show proof of honorable discharge from U.S. military service during World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War;
· Japanese-American citizens — show proof of internment in a World War II relocation camp; and
· Veterans and Japanese-American citizens — provide name of high school the applicant was attending at the time of induction into military service or internment.
· Those who meet the qualifications but earned their GED are also eligible.

For more information, or to receive an Operation Recognition application, visit www.lakecoe.org/OperationRecognition.