101-Year-Old WWII Veteran Finally Celebrates Graduation at Cornell College 80 Years Later
Due to efforts of his daughter, Linda Taylor, a professor who had attended many graduation ceremonies throughout her career, Fred was able to walk alongside other graduates at the 2024 ceremony.
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101-year-old Fred Taylor finally received the graduation celebration he was denied 80 years ago due to his deployment in World War II.
Taylor, from California, was sent to join the Army Air Corps Reserve in 1943, missing his graduation from Cornell College in Iowa, where he was set to receive his Bachelor's degree in Music.
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Due to efforts of his daughter, Linda Taylor, a professor who had attended many graduation ceremonies throughout her career, Fred was able to walk alongside other graduates at the 2024 ceremony.
Linda surprised her father with airplane tickets and arrangements to attend the event.
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Fred, who was taken aback by the surprise, expressed his excitement and gratitude. "Linda mentioned this idea a long time ago, but it was a big surprise to me that she had gone ahead and made the arrangements to do it. So, of course, I'm surprised and excited about it," he said.
Taylor's time at Cornell College had a profound impact on his life. After serving in World War II, he went on to earn a master's degree in music education from Drake University and spent years as a music teacher before retiring. Despite having picked up his diploma during his military service, Taylor felt that the ceremony brought a sense of closure to his academic journey. "The college was extremely important to me. It really ties the ribbon on it, makes me feel like now it's complete," he said.
