On March 19, 2026, Veteran Mr. Arthur Conover walked back through the doors of his alma mater, Berlin Central School District, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Claire Killeen, Mrs. Jan Mullins and Mr. Thomas Mullins, to receive his diploma of graduation from Berlin Central School District. 

If not for his call to military service, Mr. Conover would have been a Mountaineer graduate in the class of 1964. Now, 62 years later, thanks to Mr. Thomas Mullins, New York State Education Department’s Operation Recognition, and the Reverend A. Kelley Association, Mr. Arthur Conover has received his diploma and is officially a 2026 Berlin Mountaineer graduate.

Mr. Thomas Mullins, a social studies teacher for 34 years in Cohoes, living in Green Island, has made it his mission through the Reverend A. Kelley Association to get veterans the honor he feels they deserve. This can range from high school diplomas to medals. For the last seven years, Mr. Mullins has dedicated himself to this volunteer work, working with over eight different school districts and seeing over 75 diplomas awarded. 

Operation Recognition, created by the State Education Department for veterans who left high school without graduating, allows veterans to earn New York State high school diplomas. To learn more about Operation Recognition visit https://veterans.ny.gov/operation-recognition.

Berlin CSD Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo and Berlin Middle High School Principal Mr. David Bernsley were honored to be part of Mr. Conover’s diploma ceremony and were moved by the sacrifices he made for our country. 

Mr. Conover brought a special book to share some of his military history with the High School Student Council Mountaineers in attendance at his diploma ceremony. Mr. Conover was part of the USS Liberty Incident in 1967 and took the time to educate the Mountaineers on this piece of history during the reception. 

Berlin CSD has launched a Civic Seal of Readiness program, and involving Mountaineers in events like Mr. Conover’s diploma ceremony aligns with the program’s mission.

Thanks go to Mrs. Amie Decker for coordinating the event with Mr. Mullins and to Mrs. Shannon DeCelle for photographing this significant event for Mr. Conover and his family.

Mr. Mullins is eager to continue his mission for veterans or their families and encourages them to contact him by email at jemullins51@hotmail.com. 

Congratulations, Mountaineer graduate Mr. Arthur Conover, and thank you for your service. 

Go Mountaineers!

photos: Ms. Shannon DeCelle