County program belatedly allows veterans to earn degrees
By BARBARA McLEAN
The Press-Enteprise


While some students were planning graduation parties and donning their caps and gowns, Don Pelchous was serving in the Marine Corps. Not only did he miss out on the pomp and circumstance of graduation, he also did not receive his high school diploma.

Pelchous did receive his GED certificate through the military and earned a college degree in business after serving during the Korean conflict.

He taught at inner city Chicago schools, served as a deputy sheriff and was an alderman in Berwyn, Ill, He also served as city clerk in Berwyn before retiring and moving to Murrieta.

Pelhous, 74, is dedicated to educating fellow veterans about Operation Recognition, which is offered by the Riverside County Office of Education. The program allows veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War to obtain diplomas through a course of study and life experience including training received through military service.

Also included in the program are Japanese-American citizens who were interned in relocation camps. Families of deceased veterans may also apply for a posthumous diploma.

"These veterans deserve the respect and the opportunities that go with a diploma," said Pelchous.

Pelchous is the commandant for the Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League 1057 that meets on the last Saturday of each month at Fire Station No. 7 in Murrieta. The Murrieta group is part of the national Marine Corps League that is open to all Marines, former Marines and Navy corpsmen who served with Marine combat units with honorable discharges.

Pelchous said that providing information about this program fits into the mission statement of the group that calls for the league to render assistance to Marines, former Marines and their families.

The group has about 24 members and has recently expanded to serve all of southwestern Riverside County.

For more information on the Marine Corps League, contact Pelchous at 951-600-0062, Adjutant Don Herpy at 951-678-2650 or Rita Nastri at 951-698-8640.

Reach Barbara McLean at 951-375-3726 or bmclean@PE.com

Ellie