Leominster resident Roland Martineau, WWII Vet & LHS Class of 1942, receives his high school diploma.

WWII Veteran Gets High School Diploma At the Age of 94

Education is for everybody. Age, race, and sexuality don't matter as long as you are eager to study and graduate to get your diploma.

Just like this 94-year-old veteran, who despite his age, finally received his high school diploma.

Ronald confided to his barber, Donna Salvi about his regret.

Roland Martineau is this year's graduating senior.

A lot has happened to him since 1940. He dropped out of school and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He then became a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and has a great-great-grandchild on the way. 

And recently, he proudly checked off a long overdue milestone.

Roland Martineau is a father of four, grandfather of 17, and great-grandfather of 14.

More than three-quarters of a century later, Martineau joined the Class of 2018 and walked for his diploma to a standing ovation. 

It would have been during Leominster High School's Class of '42, but he was already married and serving as a "Seabee" in the Navy's Construction Battalion, Fox Boston reports. 

When he confided to his barber, Donna Salvi that he regretted not getting his high school diploma, she went to work to get him to the stage.

Roland Martineau

Martineau's family joined him in the ceremony as he surpassed his long-awaited milestone.

"I'm very proud of him. It was emotional and it means a lot to him," his granddaughter Wendy Albert told. "He went into the military. He worked hard to put himself through trade school, welding school. He still loves to read and he's an amazing man."

Leominster high School class of 2018 held their 148th commencement.

Although he didn't make a big speech, Martineau did share an important and a remarkable reminder from his experience to his fellow alumni.

"They should be grateful they were able to finish high school," Martineau said. "I wish them well."

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

- Confucius