Juan Villarreal is seen accepting his diploma at a Rio Hondo ISD School Board meeting Monday night. He’s also pictured with family. (Photos by Pete Banda)
By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO – Following admirable service to his country in the Vietnam War, running a company of his own and fathering children and now becoming a grandfather, there was always one thing that eluded 63-year-old Juan Villarreal: a diploma.
But he can scratch that off his list of accomplishments as Villarreal was awarded his high school diploma from the Rio Hondo Independent School District after 45 years. At a board meeting on Monday, Villarreal, who dropped out of high school at the age of 18, was honored by the Rio Hondo ISD School Board with the diploma. In 1969, just a few short months away from graduating, Villarreal decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
“I was working with the artillery there in Vietnam, and man it took some time getting used to all the noise at night,” said Villarreal of his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. “When you heard the noises, you knew something was going on because they don’t call out those big cannons unless they need them.”
Villarreal worked at calculating where the cannons should attack. After a year in Vietnam, his tour there ended. When he came back home, Villarreal dealt with his own problems dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, including nightmares and trouble sleeping. Through it all, the former Marine eventually married and managed to start a business with his father selling fire extinguishers, and that’s what he did for the next 30 years.
His three children, one of which was present at his diploma ceremony, all graduated from Rio Hondo High school and have gone on to be successful in their line of work. One of his sons is currently in Louisiana as a six-year member of the Navy.
“He’s stationed in New Orleans right now and he loves it,” said Villarreal of his son. “He’s happy with what he is doing.”
Following his diploma presentation, family, board members and supporters came forth to congratulate and shake the hand of the former war veteran and now high school graduate. “It’s a real diploma,” said Villarreal, “m real diploma.”
Read this story in the Nov. 14 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
Congratulations Mr. Villarreal. It was worth the wait. May God bless you and your family. They are so proud of you. Thanks for serving in the Armed Forces and for protecting our country.