Harland Fletcher recently finished his senior year at Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. He sounds like an energetic and motivated guy. The day he turned 17, he enlisted in the US Army. Under the Split Training Option, he completed Basic Combat Training during the summer between his junior and senior years, becoming a medic in the Army Reserve.

Justifiably proud, he wanted to wear his uniform at graduation. He asked his counselor about it several times, and was told it was fine.

But high schools, you know? Sometimes they aspire to be as authoritarian as the Army, but making it up as they go along.

When Fletcher showed up for graduation, he was told he could not wear the uniform. By several vice-principals and the principal, Patrick Walsh. He pointed out that California law allows him to do so. His protests were not taken seriously. Finally, he was offered a cap and gown to wear over the uniform. Fletcher pointed out that to do so violate the military uniform code. Theoretically he could be court-martialled for taking their stupid suggestion.

They didn’t care. So he left. He didn’t get to take part in his graduation. They said he could pick up his diploma in the office next week.

His parents, who had come to watch him walk, were shocked and hurt. His father, a veteran, posted on Facebook, describing the incident and the applicable law, asking that people spread the word. He said they were devastated. He drew political conclusions. “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…. 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.”

Later that day, the district superintendent posted this apology:

Dear Liberty Community,

After reading AB 1463; 2009 STAT. Chapter 296 It has become clear that Harland Fletcher may have the right to wear his US Army Dress Uniform at his graduation and on behalf of the Liberty Union High School District I publically apologize to him and his family for this Incident.

No slight was meant to Harland nor to the US Army. In fact with a little prior notification, I’m sure that Principal Walsh and the site administration would have come to this conclusion before the ceremony. Principal Walsh and the District do support the armed forces as exemplified by his recognition of graduating seniors that have chosen the military for their post-graduate plans during the graduation ceremony.

Again I apologize to Harland for this unfortunate incident, and thank him for his service to our country.

Eric Volta

Bad apology. Fletcher “may” have the right to wear his uniform? No “may” about it, he does. Volta tries to cast blame on the student – if only there had been “prior notification,” this could have been avoided! Nobody honors the military like we do! Also, “publically” apologizing is fine, but there should be a personal apology to Fletcher and his family, and maybe an invitation to be a special guest at the next graduation. As we’ll see, this legalistic, third-person, just-plain-bad apology didn’t help matters at all.

Unlike the senior Mr. Fletcher, I doubt that this incident was the result of anti-military sentiment. I think it was just routine authoritarian bullpuckey on the part of school administrators. ‘You want to wear your uniform? Too bad, we decided on a school colors theme. Oh, you asked your counselor? Well, you didn’t ask me. You don’t want to risk a court-martial? Spare me the drama, this is my busy day.’

I suspect free-floating disdain, not disdain aimed at the military. But whichever it was, they handled it illegally, disrespectfully, and unkindly all the way down the line.

That includes the lousy apology. As Harland Fletcher told a CBS affiliate, “You can apologize all you want, but in the moment you should have already known.”

And if you didn‘t know, you should have taken the high road, which is about showing pride in accomplished students.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

Principal Walsh apologized in person (good!) to the Fletcher family, and arranged a private graduation ceremony on Monday. A “a group of veterans, military families and well-wishers” were in attendance. In addition to the diploma, Fletcher was given an award (from the VFW) and a certificate (from a district supervisor). His father’s quotes no longer suggest much grievance. “You take what you can get. As you serve, you miss these things. It’s a small sacrifice, but we know he is okay with it.”

Principal Walsh said “I made a mistake last Friday night, and I don’t mince words. I deeply regret what occurred.”

Oh dear. “I made a mistake” is good! Takes responsibility. “I don’t mince words” is bad. What is that boast doing here? “…regret what occurred” is terrible. Passive voice, Principal Walsh! Where’s that responsibility now?

(Thanks very much to Mary M. for pointing out this follow-up story.)