For most university graduates, it takes about four years to get the opportunity to cross the stage. For John Fong, the moment came almost 60 years after completing his degree.
Behind his head, Fon never thought this day would come. Like many veterans of his generation, he had answered another call on June 13, 1968.
“I was like, ‘I couldn’t walk,’ but that’s how it is,” Fron said.
The 80-year-old veteran was drafted for missions in the US Navy and served in Vietnam for four years.
Fong received his degree, a double major in history and geography, but he did not walk with other graduates at the start.
In the 57 years since then, he sometimes thought about it. The University of California, Berkeley, as he saw his son graduate from high school.
“I couldn’t walk,” Fong said to his wife, watching the children at the graduation ceremony.
“We’ve always heard from dad,” said Fron’s son Jonathan.
Jonathan and his mother, Lily, contacted Fong’s alma mater, hoping to have Navy veterans walk the stage almost 60 years later.
“Then Covid happened and we said, ‘Well, I don’t think we’ll do this now,'” Jonathan said.
However, that did not stop Fron’s family. Because many years ago, Fon’s peers included some pretty names, including NBA Hall of Fame Kareem Abdul Jabber and Heissman winner Gary Beban.
Finally, along with the class of 2025, UCLA alumni began walking across the stage.
“When I heard the music of ‘Pump and Situation’, I was at the head of the line, so I felt it,” Fong said. “I was able to really feel an amazing feeling. It’s finally spinning, full circle! ”
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