Diploma caps long-fought struggle – Son draws on father’s experiences as Vietnam POW to accomplish goals (John Deering)

Told he would never walk again after a car accident left him a quadriplegic at age 15, earning a college degree was the last thing John Deering ever thought he’d care about.

Against all odds, the White House resident graduated from Volunteer State Community College Dec. 12, earning a degree in Computer Information Technology with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He was honored at the ceremony with the college’s Outstanding Graduate Award for 2015.

“I was overwhelmed. I never thought I’d go to college let alone earn a 4.0,” he said.

But if his father, John Deering Sr., were still alive he’d tell his son ‘I told you so.’

Other Publications You Might Be Interested In

Remembering Ed Carlson, Vietnam POW

Since last Veteran’s Day, Ken Burns’ in-depth documentary on the Vietnam War has aired. It is a powerful reminder of an unpopular war in which many “baby boomers” fought and died. It also prompts memories of the brutal treatment of American POWs and 1,350 who were listed as missing in

Read More »

Anzaldua, Jose USMC POW

[00:00:12.10] JOSE ANZALDUA: I come from a little town by the name of Refugio, Texas. And it’s in Southeastern Texas. Grew up in a traditional family, two sisters and a brother. Just had what I would consider a normal childhood. Did high school sports. [00:00:30.98] Senior year in high school,

Read More »

Honoring a Local Veteran: Meet Michael & Ruth Lane

It was nearly 54 years ago, in 1966, when retired Air Force pilot, Col. Michael Lane was shot down in North Vietnam. He spent 2,270 days (nearly six and a half years) living in the Hoa Lo Prison camp, better known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” His first experience was being

Read More »

Just an American POW

In January of 1964, Captain Harlan Chapman reported to Marine Fighter Squadron 212 based at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station, Hawaii.  In 1965, his Squadron deployed with Carrier Air Wing 16 aboard the USS ORISKANY (CVA 34) for combat operations from the South China Sea.  Harlan flew his first combat

Read More »