What's Happening in Orland Park, IL…

After seven decades, an Orland Park veteran has finally been able to achieve a dream he has held throughout his life.

Jim Wilkins, who is now 89, dropped out of high school to enlist in the Navy in January of 1943 during the Second World War. He was recently invited back to Leo Catholic High School to receive his diploma as part of his former school’s program to honor military vets.

To mark the occasion, Wilkin’s family, friends, former military members from different conflicts, and dozens of the school’s current students came together in the institution’s front courtyard. Wilkins remarked to the crowd that he was pleased and proud to have been able to serve his country. Stories like his can be inspiring to others, and they can be recorded and bound into a book by a printing company for current and future readers to enjoy.

One of his children, Cathy Lipuma, noted that even though he had left high school early, he did keep up with a variety of topics and was always an avid reader. She further went on to say that he has always been an example to those around him and was a big influence in her life.

Florence, who is his wife of 63 years, felt that the ceremony was very moving and it brought back memories of the early years of their relationship when he was deployed and they would write back and forth to each other.