PETERBOROUGH, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) — The family of a future Marine from New Hampshire is upset that his high school will not allow him to wear his uniform to graduation.
Brandon Garabrant will earn the title of Unites States Marine Friday after boot camp graduation. He will receive his diploma at ConVal Regional High School the following day. He’s able to do this because he had enough credits to graduate early.
Garabrant wants to wear his military uniform at his high school graduation, but the school’s principal says he must wear the cap and gown like everyone else, a move that has surprised some students.
“Yeah, people have been talking about it,” said junior Aaron Spear, “A lot of kids do think it’s unfair, kind of ridiculous.”
Another student also voiced his support for Garabrant. The 18-year-old has community support as well. Just down the street from where Brandon gets his hair cut, there is a sign posted in the window saying that Brandon deserves to wear his uniform.
Charlie Leete cut Garabrant’s hair before he left for boot camp and knows his family well.
“They’ve had a lot of e-mails and calls all over the country, people in the service that are very supportive of him,” said Leete of the family.
Principal Brian Pickering didn’t make the decision alone. His graduation committee consists of a military wife, a military mother, a retired Army Special Forces member, and a retired Marine.
“I felt it was critical to have the perspective of the military with this decision,” Pickering explained.
The committee tells FOX 25 high school graduation is for the students and just like the military, they want uniformity from those graduating. They say Brandon is welcome to wear his uniform under his gown and take the gown off once he gets his diploma.
Committee member Sherry Nixon has three sons in the military, two currently serving in Afghanistan.
“He can celebrate that in his next big adventure,” said Nixon. “This is a celebration of the Class of 2013 and should be honored first.”
Pickering tells FOX 25 he would gladly reverse his decision if the committee or school council disagreed with him. Since they do not disagree, he is standing by the decision he made.
Brandon is still at boot camp and has no idea how he has become the talk of the town.
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