Joe Parricone walks across the state. (Credit: Hillsborough County School) A 95-year-old World War II veteran donned a cap and gown and walked with other graduates at a Florida High School. Joe Parricone missed his original 1943 graduation because he enlisted in the Army and was shipped off to Europe. He finally had the chance to participate in a graduation ceremony Saturday in Tampa. WTSP-TV reports his family had told the story about Perricone’s missed graduation for years. But this year his grandson decided to do something about it. So Tom Palermo contacted the Hillsborough County School board and made the event happen. Palermo said he wanted his grandfather to feel as special as the family says he is.