In 1942, America was at war, and many young men left school early to enlist in the armed services. Charles Colburn was one of those young men.
He was just a few credits shy of earning his high school diploma.
"When I go to bed at night there's a lot of things that come to my mind, but I've never forgotten that high school diploma," he said.
Despite the fact that he was doing it to serve his country, Colburn had never been able to come to terms with his decision to leave Bangor High School. So earlier this summer, he paid a long overdue visit to school superintendent Betsy Webb to see about getting his diploma.
"I never thought I'd get it. I dreamed of it, but I never thought I'd get it."
On Wednesday afternoon, that dream finally came true, in the James Doughty School auditorium, as he was surrounded by his friends and family.
"Charles Colburn, it is my honor as the superintendent of the Bangor schools to present you with this diploma from Bangor High School on your 87th birthday," Superintendent Betsy Webb announced.
"By God, it's a wonderful thing, really is good, thank you very much," Colburn replied as he choked back tears.
Colburn says he already has a whole wall filled with certificates and awards, but he says the diploma will be in a place of honor, right smack dab in the middle of all of them.
"When people say, 'Did you graduate?' I'll say yes I graduated. I'll be proud, you know, that I did and received that diploma."
