Anyone’s dream of gaining an college education is possible at any age. A World War II veteran is now enrolled as an incoming college freshman. Gaining a college education has always been an American dream, leading to success. Chester Cryzbowski, a senior citizen at the age of 104, will now entering college for the first time, attending Georgia Tech. This man has history in his blood, and he was never given the chance to attend college. Now, he is being honored by Georgia Tech for his bravery for his country. Even after 80 years, when he thought that going to college was impossible, he was surprised with the opportunity to achieve his dream.
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Most would say it is pointless, since most people go to college to gain a higher wage after they graduate. For Chester, his goal is to have the opportunity to attend college. To him it wasn’t about the money but rather his passion for crunching numbers and gaining the knowledge he always dreamed of. He was too poor as a young man to go to college and as he got older there were responsibilities that held him back. Whether or not he will use his education outside of the classroom, he was still honored to be a Yellow Jacket.
"When Truman dropped the bomb, I waved my hat in the air and said, 'I'm going home.' I had had enough," Gryzbowski said during the ceremony.
The college was pleased to have a man who represents a part of history on their campus as an incoming freshman. Chester’s first choice was Georgia Tech, as he always had a passion for engineering but after the war had to go straight to work in order to support his family. Ever since World War II, he dreamed of going to Georgia Tech, but the opportunity always slipped away. That was until the No Veteran Dies Alone program and notified the University of a possible freshman unlike any other.
“Georgia Tech would have been honored to have you as a student,” Peterson says in the letter. “I can’t thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made to serve our country and our world.”
This man has accomplished so much but he had always seen the importance of an education and his desire to achieve more. Even at 104 years he still had the same dreams of a high school senior. On June 27th, Chester will turn 105, but he has the passion of an opportunistic young man. To see Chester graduate one day will be a big accomplishment for him and his family. He will bring motivations to others who think they are too old to go back to college. He will show that nothing is impossible as long as you are still alive to accomplish your dreams. If the desire is there to gain knowledge, then there should be nothing to stop you.
"Thank you all, and God bless," Gryzbowski said.
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