"There was a war going on, and when you are 18, you just want to see the world," says Graham, 78, in his Cupertino home. "My parents certainly couldn't stop me."

Graham did get to see the world during his six years of service in the Navy. He went to Japan, Brazil and six other countries. He also met his wife of 51 years, Kay, through a buddy in the Navy.

Graham, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars for 40 years, has never regretted quitting school to be in the Navy, but he thought he would never know how it felt to get a high school diploma until April 16 of this year.

Thanks to a program called Operation Graduate, Graham and 14 other World War II and Korean War veterans who left school to enlist in the armed forces received special high school diplomas from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

"During World War II and the Korean War, thousands of young men and women left high school to serve their country," says county Superintendent Colleen Wilcox. "Operation Graduate is one way we can acknowledge them for their sacrifices and honor their contributions to our county and to the country."

Operation Graduate is a nationwide program that was started by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services in 1999. Intended as an honor for World War II veterans, the program has since been expanded to include Korean War veterans. The California program also recognizes Japanese-Americans who were interned in World War II relocation camps. The graduation ceremony on April 16 at the county office of education was the first in California.

Many of the 15 seniors joined the program because their wives and children encouraged them to. Graham is one of them.

Kay Graham, 77, says, "It would be great to show our grandchildren how important education is even after a long time."

But for Korean War veteran Dale Burns, getting a high school diploma is to do something just for him.

Burns, 72, joined the Navy when he was 17. Like Graham, Burns was itching to fight in the war. But unlike Graham, Burns' parents, twin brother and high school sweetheart were all thrilled about his decision.

His Sunnyvale home is like a museum to commemorate his 24 years of service in the Navy. One wall displays faded photos of Burns in Navy uniforms and the airplanes he flew as well as plaques of three of the seven aircraft carriers he served on. He also keeps all the memorial albums of the ships he worked for.

Having established a happy family and a successful career in real estate and security, Burns didn't need a high school diploma to be successful in life, but he wanted one nonetheless.

At the graduation ceremony, Burns wore a Navy uniform he bought eight years ago and decorated it with 13 ribbons he won during his service in the military.

Although a stroke 15 years ago left his right side less mobile, Burns walked slowly yet firmly across the stage to receive the high school diploma he has waited for for 45 years.

"A lot of memories came back," Burns says. "I remembered playing football when I was in high school and going out with girls. I was so young."

With red, white and blue balloons at every corner and the Lincoln High School Chamber Orchestra playing Pomp and Circumstances, the ceremony not only touched these veterans but also their families.

Graham's daughter, Margaret Ramirez, cried when she saw Graham stand on the stage.

Graham, though overwhelmed by emotions and memories, managed to joke with his daughter, "Not many children can say they went to their parents' high school graduation ceremony."

His graduation gift? A card from his family that says, "As you go forth in the world, young man, be a solid citizen. Make something out of yourself."

People interested in receiving a diploma through Operation Graduate can call the Santa Clara County Office of Education at 408.453.6514 or visit www.sccoe.org/operationgraduate/.