Marine Grad Stands On Sidelines During Ceremony (Refused to not wear dress blues?)

ktul ^ | 5/12/06

[LouAvul]

Holdenville, OK (AP) - A U-S Marine graduates from Holdenville High School, but isn't able to walk across the stage with his fellow graduates.

During last night's ceremony, Michael Lueking stood in the stands in his dress blues uniform. School officials had told Lueking he wouldn't be able to participate in the ceremony if he refused to wear the school's standard royal blue cap and gown.

Lueking finished high school a semester early so he could fulfill his longtime dream of joining the Marines. He graduated from the 13-week Marine boot camp on May 5th, in time to be home for his high school graduation.

Holdenville Superintendent Shellie Gammill says she couldn't bend the policy or else exceptions would have to be made for other students.

[HairOfTheDog]

Marines, of all people, should understand the concept of the "uniform of the day".

Agreed. Wear the uniform, if you like... with the cap and gown over it for the ceremony. If he doesn't want to do that, or if that is some sort of breach of Marine dress etiquette, then he can sit out, like he did.

I'm sure he's a great kid, but graduation is not the place to dress in what you want.

[Vermont Lt]

When I graduated college, there were dress blues, dress whites, and army blues. Of course, we all wore uniforms.....

[bvw]

Hooray for the school! They have a uniform too, only for ceremony and this is it. The graduate was almost insubordinate, but for the general rules and traditions of free speech in such places, his insubordiantion should have been noted by his military superiors and marked upon his record as a negative.

[sinkspur]

I thin there's just a bit of grandstanding going on here.

There's more than a bit. More like a "look at me" situation.

[sinkspur]

In this age of "ME AND ONLY ME" disagreement is the rule.

That phrase is consummately applicable to this Marine.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

It's ridiculously asinine for a grown marine sworn to protect our society to expect special treatment. He dishonors and belittles his classmates by refusing to don their graduating uniform and celebrating the occasion with them.

[sinkspur]

Too bad the human filth that runs the school and the yellow-bellied pukes who would defend them sought to ignore this Marine's readiness to sacrifice his life to save their worthless blue-clad sacks of skin.

I thought Marines were supposed to obey their lawful superiors?

That "human filth" was his superior until he graduated.

Wear the cap and gown.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Well Said!

[hoosierham]

Don't forget that for nearly a quarter century military service has been "sold" as a way to pay for college,get job training relevant to a civilian career,and an employer with great benefits.I was the subject of all four services recruitment in high school based on the ASVAB about 10% of my class took, but not phyically qualified. (Eyes)

Well the military person is supposed to be better trained and equipped than the average convenience store clerk,who is the most likely to be killed on the job. The police officer also is better trained and equipped,and the clerk and the officer deal with a lot of the same people! I am not convinced of the Heinlein idea that only those who have military service should vote,etc.The military has its share of persons of all types. Last time I checked agricultural workers had a high injury and death rate;big city cops often whine about their hazards but they are not statistaclly number one.

Wearing the dress blues while walking across the stage would have been a way of calling attention to himself in a way not warranted.He ought to have worn the gown and cap across the stage,accepted his diploma,stepped offstage and then removed said gown after all others had completed the walk.He could then display his special status .

I'm sorry the young man chose to not receive his diploma in the usual manner.I wish him well.

[Czar]

"As a Marine, Pvt Lueking is familiar with the concept of Uniform of the Day. Well the Uniform of the Day in this case was royal blue cap and gown."

Yes, rules are rules.

Lets be sure and remember this when a Muslim comes along and insists on wearing his ragtop and tribal garb on graduation day..

After all, rules are rules.

[PLMerite]

"obviously Shellie Gammill can't see the difference between a MARINE and some misfit that wants to "stand out and be different" as she stated in another article."

Well, if they made an exception for this Marine, then it would set precedent and who knows what deviant a judge might see as the equivalent?

[Dick Vomer]

No, he won't. He is a man who is also a Marine. I'm sure he is proud of being a Marine, as he should be; but he is not immortal

I'm sorry that you don't understand, I meant his name will live forever...he will be a Marine till he dies....He is part of a larger community of men who are brothers in arm, that live and die by a code of behavior.

Those that chose to live the life of a Marine and cherish it do live forever as part of the history, tradition and folklore of the Marine Corp.

sorry you don't understand.

if you're speaking metaphysically as a Christian...then we are all immortal..

if we play our cards right.... I think by joining the Marines, he's starting out on the right track.

[Krodg]

Bull. He got his dress blues and wanted to show off.

If he had wanted to show respect for his country and his uniform, his first action wouldn't have been to ignore the rules already in place...he would have donned his cap and gown and joined his friends.

[Dick Vomer]

They should fall in with their classmates and wear the cap and gown, not expect special treatment.

when I open the door for a lady, give up my seat for somebody older or a lady, or even help with a package when somebody needs help, I'm sure they're not "expecting special treatment"... but I'm extending a courtesy because I feel that it's deserved and that's the way I was brought up... and am bringing up my son up the same way. As a person that cherishes women, the weak that need help or just a fellow human, I'll extend a courtesy.

Those that chose to serve in the Armed Forces should be cherished and their sacrifice should be honored. If wearing their dress blues or Army full dress uniform is making them feel special... well I've got news for you. They are special.

As a society we should have those that serve held up as examples of what is honorable, good and decent in our high school graduates. Our society requires as the price for freedom the lives of some of it's men and women.

It's a small "price" to allow something as trivial as wearing his Dress Blues.

It's also a great recruiting tool. There is nothing like the sight of a Marine in his dress blues to make the young girl's heart quicken and the other guys jealous.

I guess if you really want to freak the high school out have these "boys" show up at graduation...

[Dick Vomer]

you are so .... typical... of the mindset of the small bureaucrat...

1. The blue dress "A" uniform (or for officers, the blue-white dress "A" uniform when appropriate to the season) may be prescribed for parades, ceremonies and formal or semiformal social functions. The blue or blue-white dress "A" uniform, as appropriate, will be prescribed for the following official military/social occasions:

 

a. Parades, ceremonies, reviews, solemnities, and entertainments when the commander/senior officer present desires to pay special honors to the occasion.

 

b. Official visits of, or to, United States civil officials, officers of the United States Armed Forces, and officials/officers of foreign governments, according to chapter 12, U.S. Navy Regulations.

 

c. Receptions given by, or in honor of, officials/officers listed in chapter 12, U.S. Navy Regulations.

 

d. At daytime formal or semiformal occasions.

[DesScorp]

"This happens quite frequently. Too bad the young Marine sought to have an exception to the rules of his school."

Too bad the adminstrator is an idiot. There's a big difference between an honored military uniform and some punk skipping across the stage in Bling Bling. He should've have automatically gotten permission. What the hell is wrong with some people?

[Dick Vomer]

maybe you should look into the regs for wearing dress blues before opening your yap about "asking his C.O." about wearing his dress blues or selling cars in his dress blues.

I can't believe the level of cynicism about this kid being proud to be a Marine and the stupidity of the school boards decision and those that look to "legalize" this idiocy with comments like yours.

He just seemed to be proud to be a Marine and wanted to let his classmates and family see him in his dress blues.

[sinkspur]

The ceremony is over. The decision was made by the Marine.

Let it go.

[Smokin' Joe]

You can wear anything (or not) under the gown you want. Wear both. The only concession he would have to make is the cover, and only for the time on stage.