SEBRING, Ohio - Don Murphy often shared that not graduating high school before going into the military was one of his biggest regrets. On Friday Sebring High School and Copeland Oaks Retirement Home made that dream a reality.

The 98-year-old Copeland Oaks resident was awarded an honorary high school diploma in front of family and friends.

Murphy left high school before graduating and went on to serve in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army, before becoming a business owner and pilot. After hearing Murphy's regrets about not graduating, a fellow Copeland Oaks resident reached out to Sebring Schools superintendent, to organize the celebration and get him his degree.

Family, friends and other Copeland Oaks residents looked on as he received his diploma. Murphy said he felt blessed to have so many wonderful people around him through the years including his wife, daughter and friends at Copeland Oaks.

"I usually talk a lot but I'm so tongue-tied right now," Murphy said after receiving his diploma. "This is so nice. I tell everybody that I've been so blessed."

A graduation party was held in celebration of Murphy's long-awaited high school degree.