GLASGOW — It took more than 55 years, but two Glasgow men have finally received their high school diplomas.

Jimmy Lee Smith, 76, and Keith Wayne Norman, 78, left school before graduating in the early 1950s to serve their country in the military, fighting in Korea.

Smith joined the U.S. Navy. Norman chose service in the U.S. Army.

The two men grew up together in Barren County. After both served in the military, they returned to Glasgow and joined the police department and worked there together. Now they both work for the Barren County Sheriff’s Office.

It seems appropriate the two should share this latest milestone as well.

Smith and Norman found out about a recently passed law allowing veterans who went into service before graduating to get their diplomas. The two men took their discharge papers to the Glasgow Board of Education to start the process.

“I read where they passed that law. We applied back in July. It took a while,” Smith said.

Smith finished his freshman year and would have graduated with the Glasgow High School Class of 1952. He said he started school late because his parents didn’t let him go at first. He was 18 when he entered the military.

He joined the Navy because he knew he was going to be drafted, he said. Four months after enlisting, Smith was on a ship off the coast of Korea fighting on the battleline. After four years of service, he re-enlisted for another six and then spent three years in the Army National Guard, he said.

After his military service, Smith returned to Glasgow and served on the police force for a total of 29 years from 1961 until 1990. He was police chief from 1972-90. He has been a deputy with the sheriff’s office for 10 years, assigned to courthouse duty, he said.

Norman went to Korea in 1951 with the 1/623rd Kentucky Army National Guard, after completing the eighth grade. He continued to serve with the National Guard for 22 years and was a member of the Glasgow Police Department for 32 years from 1954 to 1956 and from 1961 to 1990. He has worked with the sheriff’s office for almost 20 years since 1990, he said.

Terry Houchens, an auxiliary officer with the local police department, has worked with both men during his career. He said it was an honor to serve with the two officers.

Houchens worked with Smith, who was his sergeant then, from 1965-70, and rode with him on patrol for about two years, he said.

“You didn’t have to worry about your back. He took care of things,” Houchens said. “He was a good partner.”

Norman, with whom he also rode, was “good to be with” and was an “awesome” partner too, according to Houchens.

“Back then, rank – other than pay – didn’t mean much. Everyone just did their job and didn’t worry about rank,” Houchens said. “We didn’t make much money, but we had a lot of fun.”

When Norman was asked if members of his family were proud of him for receiving his diploma, he said, “I hope they are.”

He gave a light-hearted response when questioned about how it felt to finally be a high school graduate.

“I feel fine. I don’t feel no smarter,” he said.

Norman said he would change some of the decisions he made when he was younger.

“If I had it to go over again, I’d graduate,” he said.

When asked about receiving his diploma at this point in his life, Smith said he was pleased.

“I was very, very proud. I never expected to get it,” he said.

Family members were happy for him as well.

“Well, I think they’re kind of proud of me,” Smith said.

His oldest son, Darrell Smith, also became a police officer, first working in Burkesville for 18 years and then serving with the Glasgow Police Department for the last six years.

Darrell Smith said he values everything his father has accomplished. He found out the elder Smith was working on getting the diploma a couple of months ago.

“He had gotten an equivalency certificate when he was in the Navy, but then he heard about the law about vets getting their diplomas,” Darrell Smith said. “I’m proud of him not only for that, but his long, law enforcement career. He’s always been a good role model. I’ve followed in his footsteps.”

Officer Smith said his father receiving this diploma also has special significance for him because the elder Smith has been battling cancer for the past 13 years. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996.

Jimmy Smith has one more goal he would like to accomplish.

“My last granddaughter is a senior at Barren County High School this year – Brittany Smith,” Jimmy Smith said. “I hope to see her graduate.”

Board chairman Jerry Ream presented the two men with their diplomas at Monday night’s regular board meeting in the library at South Green Elementary.



Information

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran from any area school who would be interested in receiving a high school diploma, contact Glasgow Independent Schools at (270) 651-6757 for further information.