Overseas Army Vet Gives NJ Mom Touching Message On Graduation Day

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There are moments to the human experience that remain in people’s hearts forever. And during Essex County College’s 2018 commencement ceremony, Dale Cadet of East Orange got the chance to share one of these moments with her entire graduating class.

Cadet spent 20 years working as an electronics assembler before deciding it was time for a career change. She enrolled at Essex County College four years ago, attending class part-time while continuing to work full-time. Her hard work paid off with a degree in social sciences, which Cadet said that she plans to use in her quest to become a social worker.

When Cadet arrived at the Prudential Center in Newark to claim her diploma on June 1, she stood in front of a sea of her peers and their families, unaware that the evening’s biggest surprise was just around the corner.

And that’s when her daughter – U.S. Army Sergeant Diane Cadet – appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron.

Cadet, who is stationed overseas, knew that she couldn’t miss one of the biggest moments of her mother’s life. So with the help of her sister, Jillian, also of East Orange, the veteran found a way to pass along a message of love. (Watch the video below)

“I’d like to wish my mother a special congratulations for earning her associate degree. My mother is the second-oldest of 13 kids. She comes from a legacy of hard workers. I am a product of that legacy. I hope you have joyous day and I’m very proud of you. I miss you and the family very much.”

The jumbotron then zoomed in to show the reaction of the servicewoman’s mother, who had a simple-but-powerful reply: “That’s my daughter.”

After the ceremony, Dale said that she had no clue about the video, which was filmed about a week before the commencement ceremony.

“When I saw [my daughter] on the screen, I thought: ‘What is she doing up there?’” Dale recalled. “I was really speechless.”

Dale said that she’s considering transferring to Rutgers University to major in social work, but added that she’s also pondering a return to Essex County College to enroll in its LPN program. So it’s possible that there may be another Newark graduation in the cards for the enterprising East Orange resident.

And it’s all but-assured that her family will be there to support her… in whatever ways they can.

• See related article: NJ Mother, Daughter Graduate At Same Time
• See related article: New Jersey Triplets Graduate College At Same Time, Make History

Overall, Essex County College awarded 1,315 associate degrees and certificates during its 49th annual commencement. The event included a stirring appearance from keynote speaker and John Amos of “Good Times” fame, who said he was grateful for the opportunity to address the graduates in his hometown of Newark.

“We need the confidence and vision of you, the graduates, more than at any time in our history,” Amos said. “Our collective futures will be so much brighter with you leading the way.”

This year’s class included 300 students graduating with honors, high honors and highest honors. The youngest graduates were Raamiah Edwards and Malarvily Ahruan, each 18. The oldest graduate was 73-year-old Phillips Woods.

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Photo 1: Dale Cadet is flanked by sister Jean Darbeau and daughter Jillian Cadet following her graduation on June 1. (Essex County College)

Photo 2: U.S. Army Sergeant Diane Cadet (YouTube)