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Tim Post

Veteran joins graduation ceremony 69 years later

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Don Johnson
A photo of Don Johnson at the age of 19 in 1943. Johnson joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off for training two days before his graduation at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis 69 years ago. Johnson, 88, of Ham Lake will walk through Roosevelt's commencement Saturday at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Photo courtesy of Don and Jan Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS -- A World War II veteran who missed graduation at his Minneapolis high school 69 years ago will finally get to cross the commencement stage on Saturday.

Don Johnson volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1943 just before his graduation at Roosevelt High School.

"And I was called to active duty two days before graduation," Johnson says. "So the principal handed me my diploma in his office. So I never got to wear my cap and gown, and I never got to go up on the stage and get my diploma."

Johnson spent 18 months in the South Pacific before returning to the United States in 1945.

The 88-year-old Ham Lake resident will take part in Roosevelt's commencement at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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Don Johnson
A photo of Don Johnson at the age of 19 in 1943. Johnson joined the Marine Corps and was shipped off for training two days before his graduation at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis 69 years ago. Johnson, 88, of Ham Lake will walk through Roosevelt's commencement Saturday at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Photo courtesy of Don and Jan Johnson