Sept. 27, 2023
BIG SPRING, Texas — Representatives of the Coahoma High School Student Council joined with the public on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Donald Huisenga, a decorated U.S. Army World War II veteran and former prisoner of war.
The four CHS students participated in a community parade around the George O’Brian VA Medical Center campus, which included student representatives from all three Howard County school districts as well as members from the general public.
Following the parade, CHS representatives Isabella Cox, Karleigh Burt, Brynlea Gordan, and Lexus Lozano presented a giant birthday card to Mr. Huisenga. The card was created and signed by students in Mrs. Cassie Lewis art class in celebration of his milestone.
Mr. Huisenga was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 just three months short of his high school graduation date. He received his high school diploma 75 years later in a ceremony at the age of 98. During the war, Mr. Huisenga served in special forces in France where he was captured. He spent eight months in a German military prison camp before being liberated by U.S. forces.*
During the ceremony last week, a representative from the VA West Texas Health Care System presented Mr. Huisenga with three military medals, which were the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct medal, and the Prisoner of War medal.
To learn more about this U.S. Army centenarian, click here: https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/san-angelo/world-war-ii-veteran-receives-high-school-diploma-at-98/504-b8658165-c4b5-4a3c-922b-beea3278a073
(*Source - This Fox West Texas by Ashley Griffin, pub. Jan. 2022.)
