Vietnam veteran gets diploma from R.L. Turner High 10:41 AM Thu, Nov 05, 2009 | Permalink Matt Peterson/Reporter When Dan Burns was drafted into the Army to serve in Vietnam, he wasn't sure he'd ever return to R.L. Turner High School, where he would have been part of the Class of 1964. "I never dreamed I'd get my high school diploma," he told me late Wednesday after receiving his certificate at a Veterans Day ceremony at Turner. After his two-year tour of duty, Burns earned his GED and went on to get an associate's degree at Eastfield College in Mesquite. He taught welding and machining for 12 years in the Mesquite school district. Burns said he applied for the diploma online and was approached by Turner's principal, who asked if he'd like to participate in the veterans program. He gladly accepted. "There were several vets there," he said. "I thought it was really nice."

Original entry (posted Wednesday):

There was a special guest at this morning's Veterans Day program at R.L. Turner High School.

Vietnam veteran Dan Burns received his high school diploma. Burns would have graduated with Turner's Class of 1964.

State law allows school districts to grant diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who were scheduled to graduate between 1940 and 1975 but left school to serve.

We've written many stories about World War II vets returning for their high school diplomas, but it's more uncommon for a Vietnam vet like Burns.

I'm hoping to speak to the man to learn his story. Check back here for an update.