Photo by Lester Smith
With Suffield High School Principal Steve Moccio looking on, former principal Bob Cecchini, left, congratulates Michael Richey before presenting Richey’s long-delayed diploma. A member of the SHS Class of 1974, Richey left early to serve in the U. S. Marine Corps in Viet Nam.
Michael Richey, a fifth-generation Suffield resident who left high school to join the Marines, asked the school to grant him a diploma – 42 years later. It took some research and some persuasion to achieve his goal, but on October 14, in a small ceremony in an Agriscience classroom, the diploma was presented.
Because of his present activities in manufacturing ecologically benign products out of agricultural waste, Richey had asked if he could address an Agriscience class. That was arranged, and the award was made at the end of his interesting, motivational presentation to about 50 students in a double classroom. SHS Principal Steve Moccio spoke briefly, and the diploma was handed over by Bob Cecchini (“Mr. C.”), who had been principal when Richey attended.
Though Richey was in the Class of 1974, he had enough credits in his junior year that he was on track to graduate in 1973. But in April that year he dropped out and joined the Marines. He was soon in Viet Nam, and in 1975 he was working to evacuate the U. S. embassy and others at the very end of the war. His active duty ended after four years’ service, and he resigned as a master sergeant. Earning a GED allowed him to attend college in North Carolina and gain a bachelor’s degree. His long working career included independent trucking, restaurants (he’s a master chef), and then farming.
In that role he became concerned about the effect of agricultural waste on farm ecology and the environment in general. That led to his 55 patents and in particular to his position as CEO of the Verna Mae Group, LLC, in South Windsor, which manufactures useful products out of horse manure. His fuel bricks and pellets and fire starters are a great example of recycling, even usable for cooking on a patio grill, though he admits that’s a hard sell. His processing method also produces fertilizer with significant advantages over raw manure. (He made no comment about the waste products of his 400-head cattle ranch in Montana.)
In 2013, Senator John Kissell introduced a bill in the Connecticut General Assembly allowing Viet Nam veterans who left high school early to receive a diploma now. Public Act 13-57 was passed, and Connecticut Statute 27-103 gave Mike Richey the right to get his diploma. He says it took some effort to make it happen in Suffield, but the happy ceremony on October 14 made it all worthwhile.