Page 9 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

Column January 28, 2007

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AT AGE 82

Lake Citian Dorman Clayton graduated from high school in 2004 at age
82 and got two standing ovations. That needs some explaining, right?

Well, Dorman dropped out of Collinsville (Alabama) High School to enter
the service during World War II. During the war, he had some rough duty.
First he participated in D-Day, the Allied forces massive invasion of
Europe. Then he fought in the brutal Battle of the Bulge.

Some 65 years later, his form er high school decided it was high time to
award him his belated high school diploma and honor him for his military
service. So, they got busy and invited him back to their 2005 high school
graduation ceremony where he walked in line with the other high school
seniors and got his diploma.

When his name was called to receive his diploma, he got his first rousing
standing ovation. Then he was given special recognition later in the
program for his heroic war service and got his second, even louder,
ovation.

Dorman, now 85, says his high school graduation was one of the happiest
occasions of his life. Still spry and very humorous, he continues to attend
the regular meetings in Alachua of North Florida veterans who
participated in D-Day— and he drives himself there!

GET WELL, TOM!

Tom Harkleroad took a bad fall recently and is recovering at The Health
Center of Lake City on McFarlane. Tom was a gifted science teacher at
the old Lake City Junior High School. Then he became Director of Finance
for our school system. Lately he has been known as a valuable volunteer
in all our hospitals, at the Christian Service Center, and at Wesley
Memorial United Methodist Church.

3
www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 644B81FB-81A1-47B2-8D77-49DC2A1A0BE8