GALLERY: Family, friends, and the Class of 2026 cheer on combat veteran with surprise diploma
By Janie L. Ferguson, pictured are Heather Bradford Campbell, Herman, and family members Bryan and Alivia
Herman Bradford (affectionately known as “Herm”) was all set to graduate from Canisteo Central High School with the class of 1967; but then, his country called him. There was a deadly war being fought, and prior to graduation he was drafted into the United States Army and after basic training he was sent to Vietnam. Herman served as a field artillery specialist from 1968 to 1969 in that conflict.
In all, Mr. Bradford spent six years in the US Army, and then sixteen more in the US Navy. He lived for eight years on the famous aircraft carrier the USS Eisenhower and retired as an E5 Sergeant. He currently lives in Canisteo, NY, along with family members.
His daughter Heather Bradford Campbell, and her family planned a special surprise for her dad. The plan was to get Herman his High School diploma along with the Canisteo Greenwood Central High School Class of 2026 on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The plan was top secret explained Heather, “Everyone knows my daddy, Herman Bradford. He had no clue about any of this!”
Heather went to the graduation practice for her father to keep the plan a surprise and also to protect her father as it is not something he could do himself at age seventy-nine. Herman was exposed to Agent Orange in the jungles of Vietnam, which has led to other health problems.
Heather explained why this was so important for her and her father:
“I take care of my daddy, and I’m trying to fulfill some of his dreams while he is still here with us on this earth. Getting his diploma was one of his big dreams, also getting to ride in cool cars, and to be able to get a side-by-side, is another, so he can enjoy riding in the countryside. My dad has been around the world five times and has crossed the equator three times while in the Navy.”
The top-secret plan unfolded perfectly: Heather dropped her dad off at Josh Hoppough & Martha Jessup’s home. Martha Jessup works for the VA Home Health Care Program at the Bath VA Medical Center, and knows Herman well. So, on Friday evening Herman thought he was just getting a ride in Josh’s 2025 white mustang for a treat. The top secret plan went into action as they drove him to the graduation at the Canisteo Greenwood High School, where behind the bleachers his family & friends all waited. Herman’s fan club had balloons set up that read 1967 to 2026.
You could feel the excitement as family and friends watched Herman arrive with a great big smile on his face. He waved as they drove by, wearing his Vietnam Veterans hat on that read, “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.” There is so much truth in that statement, which is one way he describes his time in the military.
Martha from the VA, presented Herman with a framed letter of appreciation from The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas A. Collins in Washington, and a coin that read, “Department of Veterans Affairs, United States of America” Martha explained that the Veterans Administration went above and beyond and to have the letter and coin arrive for the big day.
Herman was helped onto the field just before graduation began, with his walker, and family close by. They had chairs set up for Herman, family, and friends. There was a “Special Diploma Presentation to Mr. Herman Bradford” just before the students received their diplomas. He was presented his diploma by Mr. Thomas J. Crook, Superintendent. As he was invited to the stage to receive it, they saw he was walking a bit slow with Heather nearby, and they met him part way, and presented it to him. He turned around, looked towards the crowd, and held his diploma up high, and the crowd applauded wonderfully for him!
Thank you 2026 graduates, and your families and friends for sharing your evening together with him.
Watch the video of the big moment here
Tom & Joyce Richardson, members of the Canisteo Class of 1967, were in the crowd to support their grandson Tyler David Richardson who was graduating. They asked about the special presentation for the Vietnam Vet, Tom said, “What was his name? Bradford?” Quickly the Richardson’s remembered that Herman was a classmate!!
Afterwards they introduced themselves to see if he remembered them, and he did!! Tom and his grandson took a minute for a photo together:
Herman’s daughter said the graduation brought back some harrowing memories from Vietnam. He’ll never forget the anaconda chased him and his platoon while they were at one of their camps. They got a chain, wrapped it around the snake, and pinned it to a tree to stop it, and it still struck out to grab the bumper of a jeep. It ripped itself in half and was still chasing them. The captain finally had to shoot it to make it stop.
Another unforgettable moment during his tour of duty was while on night watch as the men looked out for the Vietnamese. As they looked out into the jungle for the enemy, a tiger came up and grabbed one of the men by the neck, and as he was screaming, the troops went in and shot the tiger and saved the injured man. Then as they were sending a wounded warrior home, they sent the tiger along back home with him, too.
Being in the military changed him from being a child to becoming a man. You have to grow up really fast when you’re in a war, where your friends die right next to you in the jungle, and yet you are still alive.
It is hoped that people today will be grateful for what the men and women went through during this time of war, and for what they fought, and sacrificed for!
Heather thought that her dad would be very emotional, and he was. It meant a lot to him, as he was the only one of his siblings to graduate high school. Herman has one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever find, his daughter said:
“He would even give a stranger the shirt off his back. He is a dad to the world, and if you were in his life, you were considered family, and you were loved by him all of your life.”
When he was in the military, he had his mom, and nine brothers and sisters at home. Now he has three biological daughters, a step daughter and a step son, and eight grandchildren.
Heather reflected on why this day was so important for Herman and his family, “I feel like my dad loved and took care of everyone else as he went through life, and now it’s our time to take care of him!”
When I asked her afterwards what her dad thought about everything that happened last Friday night.
“It’s all he has been talking about! He couldn’t sleep Friday night. You could tell it meant so much to him!“
From Herman: All gave some and some gave all !! I love and thank everyone.. God Bless
Thank you to the Canisteo Greenwood Central High School faculty, and graduates, the VA Medical Center staff, and all who were involved in making this day “a dream come true” for Herman Bradford, and his family. It was very much appreciated by Herman, his family, and the entire community.
