cold iron Loc: White House

A recent graduate at one New York high school said he felt he had no other alternative when he walked away from his own graduation ceremony.

Dillon Donovan, an 18-year-old U.S. Marine Corps enlistee, told The Western Journal that he arrived at the venue on Saturday wearing a military sash. When he was told to take it off or wear it underneath his robe as he walked across the stage, he said he grew indignant and opted instead to take his diploma and leave.

In an act of protest that has since attracted local media attention, Donovan said he was attempting to make a statement on behalf of a dozen other graduating seniors who had also signed up to join the military.
Donovan said several teachers applauded his decision to wear the sash, but one, in particular, told him he could not wear it.

“She just approached me out of nowhere,” he said. “She didn’t give me any reason. She just said I had to take it off.”

At that point, he said he started to ask around and another teacher explained that the school had never offered any such recognition to enlisted service members in the past.
The Orchard Park School District cited the request for a last-minute change in policy as the reason Donovan was denied the opportunity to wear a military sash.

“With this request coming on the day of graduation immediately before the ceremony, it did not allow the district the chance to consider changing its historical practice and provide the same opportunity to all other graduates either entering the military, college or the world of work,” a statement said.

The district said it “supports all of our students, including our students entering the armed forces,” adding that the current controversy will result in a discussion of how to handle the issue in future ceremonies.
Donovan compared his school to others in the area, including one in which two enlisted seniors were able to wear sashes and received special recognition.
“The students were able to go up before everyone else and got a standing ovation from the audience,” he said.

While he couched his argument in a constitutional right to free expression, Donovan made it clear representing the military has been a lifelong goal that he wanted to share with his fellow graduates.
“I wasn’t trying to get any publicity or special treatment,” he said. “All the people that enlisted, all they are trying to do is protect the country, our constitutional amendments.”

Older sister Devan said it was “unfortunate” that the school “doesn’t take the time to recognize their students who decided to join the service.”
She said her brother “missed out on one of the biggest days of his life” because of the policy.

“And I hope that something is done so future students don’t have this issue and get the recognition they deserve,” she said.

PS Seems many of your public schools are turning Anti America! Does the school administrators ever wonder who is going to protect them in the future?


https://www.westernjournal.com/enlisted-marine-walks-out-of-graduation-after-school-refuses-to-let-him-wear-military-sash/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=conservativebyte&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=libertyalliance

Kevyn

I am sure when he wants to wear his graduation cap and letter jacket in boot camp they will oblige him.

Lonewolf

He's got a long way to go before he will be called marine

cold iron Loc: White House

He is already way past both of you boys.

Lonewolf

I'm already a United States Marine

cold iron Loc: White House

YEAH, RIGHT.

Lonewolf

I think the point your missing with this young man is this until this kid completes boot camp he is not a marine and has no right to claim he is.

cold iron Loc: White House

Since you missed the subject, the issue is/was that he was not allowed to walk on to the stage with his sash. Nothing to do with being a marine. You get lost in your h**e.