In a social media post on Saturday, Bill Fletcher says his son was not allowed to participate in his High School Graduation ceremony because his wanted to wear his Army Service Uniform.
Fletcher says his son, PFC Harland J Fletcher, a US Army Reserve Medic, was approved to wear the uniform by his Liberty High School counselor only to show up and be told by the principal and vice principal he had to wear a robe over the uniform.
Fletcher said in the post that they were devastated that their son was not allowed to exercise his legal right and that the school said he could pick up the diploma on Mnday in the office.
Fletcher said late Saturday that the school has not reached out to him since graduation.
Here is a copy of the social media post:
I have never asked for any friends to share or pass along a post, until today- My Son, PFC Harland J Fletcher, a US Army Reserve Medic here in our homestate of CA, went to BCT over the summer between his Jr and SR year in High School, commonly referred to as “Split Option”. He enlisted on his 17th Birthday, the earliest possible day.
He wanted to wear his Army Service Uniform (Blues as many of us knew them) and inquired of many administrators, and was advised it was acceptable, per his counselor.
On the date of the graduation commencement (yesterday, June 9, 2017) he was advised by several vice principals and the principal, that he could not participate unless he put a robe over the uniform. As we all know, this is prohibited by AR 670-1.
He declined the robe offer and advised them of CA Education code # 35183.3, which state with incredible clarity
“The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 35183.3 is added to the Education Code, to read:
35183.3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall have the right to wear a dress uniform issued to him or her by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the graduation ceremony for his or her high school if that person meets both of the following requirements:
(a) He or she has fulfilled all of the requirements of this code for receiving a diploma of graduation from high school, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.
(b) He or she has completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces.”
We were devastated that our son was not allowed to exercise his legal right. The school, Liberty Union High School, in Brentwood CA, advised him he “can pick up the diploma in the office on Monday”.
I understand the disdain those of us in uniform have received from many educators- they just don’t care to support military service- yes, they understand they can’t bash it like they did in the late 60’s, insulting servicemembers, but they get sucker punches in, like this.
Harley is shown here at our home, after being refused his right to participate by his school. We feel that his uniform was more than acceptable to participate in the event.
If you would help me spread this, I would appreciate it.
I am tired of service members and vets being quietly and systematically denied rights by establishments that should know, respect and abide by the laws enacted on all of our behalfs.
Thank you-
Bill Fletcher
46 comments
Get over yourself sounds like a typical GOP snowflake to me
Perfect example of….projection. The most used tactic by the left. So predictable!
http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/education-code/edc-sect-35183-3.html
Google: California Code, Education Code – EDC § 35183.3
He’s a kid – wear the robe like everyone else. He’ll have the rest of his adult life to wear his uniform. When graduating from high school, you wear the robe. Period.
This family needs to grow up. If he had any respect for his high school, he would have no problem with his graduation robe. The rest of us wore it.
This young man is serving our country! He will never be able to get that day back.
Not to mention that he was denied his legal rights.
Rule of law trumps lack of decency Nick. 35183.3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall have the right to wear a dress uniform issued to him or her by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the graduation ceremony for his or her high school if that person meets both of the following requirements:
Did he actually complete basic military training?
How was he able to go to BMT and MOS training while in HS?
Does the army not require a HS diploma or GED to enlist?
Because your bitch ass didn’t earn the right to wear a uniform. Man, fuck your self.
You’re a real classy guy. Setting a good example for your son. You sound like trash.
Wow you are a idiot, no wonder the world is in the sad shape it is now days with people like this guy out there
Nick are you a liberal muslim loving pig?
And now we hear the typical Republiclown response.
See: California Code, Education Code – EDC § 35183.3
It shows how good of a Team Player he is.
he would be the one to save your sorry as^^& in a foxhole idiot!
Surprise, surprise, another member of the military getting upset that people won’t bend over backwards in worshipping the ground they stand on. It’s bad enough military recruiters are allowed on campus to infect our impressionable youth as it is… Now we’re all forced to glorify them during our graduation ceremonies?
Bob….You must be a brainwashed punk millennial. If you’re not…..well that’s sad.
Hey Bob, Like it or not, it’s because of the military that Hitler didn’t take over the world and you and I are not writing in German right now … All of the people who were still alive when the Allies arrived were released from prison camps … We have freedom! Why? Because people were willing to put on a uniform and lay down their lives for freedom. They suffered — but they prevailed. It might serve you well to pick up a history book once in a while. Also, do you have any idea what’s going on in the world in general right now with militant extremists? Wow ….. get a grip, Bob.
Thank you.
See: California Code, Education Code – EDC § 35183.3
As it turns out, He had the LEGAL right to wear it.
Bob .. If it wasn’t for our military, you would be speaking GERMAN and if you were of a certain religion and ethnic group, you would probably have been made into a lamp shade.
Reg willy and “nick”…sound more like “snowflakes” to me….go bounce checks, and make mamma and dada pay you frigging bills!
Except you idiots fail to realize the ED CODE permits it as a right he has…
But the rest of you didn’t go to boot camp during you high school either. He earned the right to wear the uniform. He earned it the day he finished boot camp. It’s not a GOP vs. LIBTARDS ISSUE. But you wouldn’t understand because you obviously never served your country.
The Anti Military people here would be the first to convert to Islam by IS when they decide to come to our cities!
I’m curious about your assumption that he was denied based off of the principals lack of military support. Is this what you were told or your interpretation? I’m all for following military guidelines, as you provided, but what are the school or school districts policy? Kudos for you son and standing up for what he believes in but there are always two sides to a story.
But only one education code that addressed the issue. They made an apology today.
Nick and Willy sound like hippy hold overs from the 60’s. How bout the school just follow the educational code: Section 35183.3 is added.
The young man accomplished a lot at a very young age, and as a reservist he has pledged service to our county. Possibly doing more for our county than Willy and Nick ever had done at a young age. Respect the young man and his uniform, he just may save your life one day.
In choosing to not follow the Education Code, the administration has set the school and the district up for a Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) in the very least. They have denied this young person a right guaranteed him under the Education Code.
Bob, Willy, and Nick
The young mans rights were violated, PER: SECTION 1. Section 35183.3. Will you stand up for him and protect his rights? And No Bob we don’t have to worship anyone or anything as Americans. But Bobby you should have due respect, for people in uniform that protect you and your rights.
Proud of you kid. I’m as patriotic as you are. It’s high school, get over yourself, wear the cap and gown. You r miles ahead of the snowflakes that will take student loans, need safe spaces, worry about micro aggressions etc. Sick of all this BS, anyway my advice to you kid, is when the Sgt. says take that hill, you say bullshit. Bomb the crap out of them and then we will go up. Meanwhile, enjoy graduation, you only go around once. Thank you for your service .. The CHP is hiring, stay safe and sign up with us for a great career. Regards, Old retired highwayman.
This is educators not being educated. Sad state of affairs. This young man stood for his country even before he was legally bound to do so. No person in their right mind would disallow this. Agree or disagree with the military, but he deserved to walk with his class
This is a clear example of educators not being educated. Sad state of affairs. This young man stood for his country even before he was legally bound to do so. No person in their right mind would disallow this. Agree or disagree with the military, but he deserved to walk with his class
I can’t believe the people who are saying, “he’s just a kid, wear the robe like everyone else.” Oh, but he’s good enough to put his life on the line for our freedom? The administration was misinformed, and instead of doing their research, pulled a power trip and unlawfully stopped him from being able to walk at his graduation. Other students decorated their caps to show their personalities and all that. Are you telling me this is the first student to ever have wanted to walk in their uniform at that school? Don’t blame the student and his family for the administrations unlawful error.
I’m not a snowflake, I’m a moderate REPUBLICAN. I’m not hippy from the 60s, I grew up in the 70s.
I’m a responsible parent (who’s kids are grown) and when our children were in high school they were kids. They followed the rules of our home, their school, etc.
Wear the damn cap and gown and quit crying like a two year old. He was a student of that high school longer than a member of the military.
Quit whining and get over it. We all have our rights violated from time to time. We don’t live in a perfect world.
High schools have a history of denying military uniforms worn at graduation. Google it. It’s because they want everyone in the SAME ATTIRE. NO SHIT.
Sounds like a few people making comments must be very jealous of people who put there life on the line. Probably hate firemen too, or are they related to the idiot that chose to be heartless, weather or not they followed any guide line. I mean really, who gives a fuck, he earned it just like anybody else. At least he would have been dressed nice. Shame on Liberty High School. I hope you lose your fuck8ng jobs.
Kathi. Tradition that’s the beef,your expected to be like everybody else so, I say who cares change it up,I hate this idea to a point but look change is forced upon us,if people voted in a idiot like stupid ass trump you can let this young man be highly self as teemed and wear what he wants the rules says he can,you are discrediting him for being a proud military young man so let him be proud for two things so far that is important in his life graduating getting his diploma and being envolved in the military,lm a mom of three don’t know you personally I’m proud of you!! You have done a great job.
in this world, only liberals has the right to say and do anything they want … Loyal Americans regardless of color should stand up to this!
“”The Liberty Union High School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.””
I guess liberals can discriminate against the military
I married an Army Veteran and am proud of it. Due to our age difference, I did not know him when he graduated from school. However, had I known him then or been married to him then, I would have been proud to see him in his uniform among those he had attended school with. I have several friends who married Vietnam War vets and/or were Veterans of that war themselves. The older I get, the prouder I am of our current soldiers, etc. and of those who are veterans.
I wonder how many of the “ruling” staff of Liberty High School ever served in the military or have loved ones who are serving?
[yawn]
kid’s not in the regular army anyway. he’s in the reserve. a weekend warrior.
kid already has an entitlement issue.
it still amounts to a “look at me!” attitude. oo-rah. right?
The educational system is being hypocritical in this decision. They teach the Children to follow rules and obey laws that were enacted by the government. Then they defy those same teaching by choosing to “REJECT” those laws and rules that were enacted ? And we wonder why these millennials whine and cry and stomp their feet because they don’t like the rules to apply to them. Great job people keep it up. Then you deny that students right to celebrate his accomplishments that he has had to prove himself in order to earn the right to wear his uniform. This is why we have what we have now … a generation of nothing but fully grown spoiled brats … thanks alot.
As a Mom of a Teen who plans to join the Armed Forces upon completion of graduation in 2018. I would have had him to wear the Military Uniform under the robe and once he received his first accomplishment (diploma/graduated) then proudly show off his second accomplishment.
Laurice, if your kid wore his uniform UNDER the robe, he would be opening himself up to a court martial …. reserves or active duty.
The way I see it is that this young man’s rights have been violated. To the extent that it may impact his life. He joined the military to protect and serve the constitution of the United States. If this young man is willing to protect the rights of his fellow citizens, why don’t they respect his.
I would take these people to civil court for damages. And if their is a criminal code have them pay with time in jail.
I am a 26 yr US Army Retired veteran. I have lost many friends in the military. During peace time and in war. These people don’t understand the impact and implications of there actions.
If they violated his rights they probably violate the rights of other minority groups within the school system.
These School directors must pay for what they have done.
Comments are closed.