The Stoneman High School JROTC performed heroically during the shooting at their school in Parkland, Florida. Two JROTC enlistees herded students and teachers into a room and shielded them with kevlar, their quick actions undoubtedly saved not only their own lives but those of others under their protection.
A third JROTC member, Cadet Peter Wang, was just as heroic but did not survive. Wang ushered students into a different classroom and was killed in his valiant efforts to save others.
Efforts are now being made to honor this brave young man. These efforts include a petition to make an exception in his case and allow full military honors at his funeral on Tuesday, active military attending his funeral in military dress, and those unable to attend are sending in military patches, coins, and other items.
This would be a very good way to honor the young man's sacrifice.
Done
ReplyDeleteActually, I would have thought this would be automatic, as the student was a cadet, being trained by the United States Army for service in the United States Army, who died heroically, while in uniform, in a combat situation against a domestic threat.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, I signed the Internet petition, something I rarely do, as I suspect Internet petitions are a waste of time and effort, as they have no legal impact, since none of the signatures can be readily verified, and might even be falsified.
As a matter of fact, I don't think an official authorization is required to perform this service.
There's nothing stopping any individual members of military or veterans organizations from spontaneously showing up at the graveside service, attired in their uniforms, and equipped with a United States flag, rifles, a bugler, and/or even a bagpiper.
Even civilians with no military background can perform this service.
After all, who's going to try and stop them or interfere with their preferred activity?
I suspect the ceremonial honors might be conducted by his fellow JROTC cadets, and I also suspect that a goodly number of regular United States Army personnel will be in attendance.
If I lived in that area, I would certainly be there, with all of my military decorations properly arranged on my best civilian Sunday-go-to-meetin' suit.
Actually, I should have added "Rest in peace, Warrior. You have done yoru duty."
ReplyDeletePetition made the required # of signatures (138K as of this morning). We shall see.
ReplyDelete