Veteran Abe Seeberger ’25, who served in Korea, receives his high school diploma during an Operation Recognition ceremony on Thursday, June 26 (L to R): Secretary to the Superintendent Stephanie Reamer, Superintendent Jeff Simons, Abe Seeberger, School Board Member Catherine Van Orden, and Columbia Principal Michael Harkin.
While the Columbia High School Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday morning at Hudson Valley Community College, the first graduate of the class received his diploma two days early. In another way, it was 70 years in the making.
Veteran Abram “Abe” Seeberger, dressed in a Columbia blue cap and gown, received his high school diploma on Thursday morning at the Melvin Roads American Legion in East Greenbush as a part of Operation Recognition. The special event, attended by family, friends, local dignitaries, and fellow veterans, was a poignant testament to a life well-lived and a grateful school community.
Operation Recognition is a NYS Veterans’ Services program that permits veterans who left high school without graduating to be able to receive a high school diploma. To be eligible, a Veteran must meet the following requirements:
- Be a New York State resident
- Engaged in active duty service for at least one day
- Discharged under honorable conditions
Mr. Seeberger, born in 1936, attended the East Greenbush Central School District but left before graduating when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to South Korea in 1955. Stationed in Taejon, Specialist-3 Seeberger and the 16th Ordnance Group made sure that U.S. soldiers had the supplies needed to defend against a North Korean invasion.
Mr. Seeberger was Honorably Discharged in 1958. For his service to his country, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the New York State Cold War Certificate.
Mr. Seeberger returned to civilian life, married his wife Lorraine and raised four sons. He was employed by Normanskill Dairy, Associated Transport, and Freihofer Baking Company before retiring. He is a former member of the Melvin Roads American Legion.
Superintendent Jeff Simons and Columbia Principal Michael Harkin awarded the diploma to Mr. Seeberger.
“We are proud to be here to honor Abe and bestow upon him his diploma,” said Mr. Simons. “As was said earlier, we were proud to have the opportunity to do this for Abe and to recognize not only his contributions to the community here but his service in Korea and what he has done for our country.”
Congratulations to Abe Seeberger ’25!