[rcecale]

It's a tradition that dates back centuries. The long robes and square hats high school and college graduates wear when they receive their diplomas became de rigeur in the 12th century, back when universities were still deeply intertwined with the church. In the last 700 years, thick wool robes have given way to lightweight polyester, but little else has changed. Every year across the country the cap and gown remain the dress of the day for millions of graduating students.

This year, however, the traditional dress of the graduate has become the center of a controversy at Petaluma High School.

Jim and Kim Kiernan decided to challenge the custom in the name of their son Steven, who just finished Marine boot camp. They'd like to see him graduate from Petaluma High School on June 11 in his military uniform......


....What does the Marine Corps think of all of this?

"The high school graduation is the high school's graduation," said Gunnery Sgt. Shane Maria, head of the Santa Rosa Marine recruiting station. "It's not our event. If the appropriate attire for the event is a cap and gown, then he'll be wearing a cap and gown."

A possible solution to the whole dilemma, "to pacify a lot of flames that have been brought up with veterans groups," would be for the high school to announce Kiernan's military status when they read his name, the Marine Sgt. said.

"The verbal recognition would be like smoking a peace pipe," he said.

Just kinda curious why the ACLU hasn't climbed all over this one.

Perhaps they're too busy shredding documents.

Randy