Staff Writer
Jerry Drake of Caribou, recently awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in recognition of his 50 years of flying service also was honored with a surprise party on his 80th birthday but the surprises were over quite yet.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Jerry Drake, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, received a delayed surprise when Mark Jones, Caribou High School principal, awarded him his high school diploma. Drake, who was a member of the CHS Class of 1946, left school prior to graduation to participate in the war effort, serving in the Navy.
Last week, Drake was summoned to the principal’s office, something all students dreaded during their high school tenures and seemingly so, Drake had no idea what was going on. A longtime friend and flight instructor to Mark Jones, principal at Caribou High School, Drake really didn’t know why he and his wife, Betty, were requested to be present.
In a quiet moment, Jones asked Drake to don a graduate’s cap and gown with a white sash, and awarded him his Caribou High School diploma 62 years late. Drake would have been a 1946 graduate.
“I had no idea what was going on,” said Drake, “I just couldn’t imagine.”
“This is not an honorary diploma, this is the real thing,” said Jones. “What makes this even more special to me is that Jerry’s diploma is the first one I have signed since becoming principal. He’s been a friend and mentor to me for a very long time. He is an excellent educator, he taught me as well as literally hundreds of other to fly.” said Jones. “Today, Jerry – the educator — gets to be the student.”
Drake, like so many other young men in the 1940s, left prior to completion of high school to support the war effort, joining the Navy during the height of World War II.
Jones said that not too long ago, Drake’s son, Stephen stated, “One of the things that had always hung heavy on my heart is that Dad went to Caribou High School and left school to go in the Navy. His Dad died and he had to support his family when he got out of the military, never having an opportunity to go back to school. My wife has a Ph.D., I have advanced graduate studies and both of our children have master’s degrees. Is there any way possible that Dad could be presented with a high school diploma from Caribou High School? Next to seeing his son, for which he was a role model, become a 767-400 International Captain at UPS, I don’t think anything could make him prouder. “
Jones said that once the seed was planted he went to work. “I consulted with Frank McElwain, superintendent of Caribou schools, who stated he believed there was a state of maine Statue that was also part of the Caribou School Department policy that allows the awarding of a high school diploma to a veteran of World War II or the Korean conflict, providing they meet specific stipulations.”
Jones was able to locate the state statue 20-AM.R.S.A—4722 Ch 127—7 within the Maine Department of Education Rules and the Caribou High School Department which was adopted June 16, 2004.
Jones also stated, “For as long as I have known Jerry, he’s always the same. I’ve been in a plane with him when the clouds were thick and he was never rattled. This is a great honor for me to be able to award this diploma to my friend, my mentor, someone who has always been my role model.”
The new graduate, very humble, a bit emotional and very proud, at the presentation said, “I won’t be able to sleep for a week.”
