Posted on Sep 10, 2014
A LTC denied entry walking his daughter into school because he was in uniform. Told it could be offensive. How would you react?
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A Lieutenant Colonel was escorting his daughter to Rochester Adams high school in Michigan, when the man in uniform was rudely informed that he would not be permitted to enter the premises.
The reason that the military officer was given? His uniform ‘might offend people.’
The security personnel hired by the school told the 24-year veteran Lt. Col. Sherwood Baker that if he wanted to take his daughter inside the building, he would have to go home and change clothes.
Lt. Col. Baker’s wife Rachel Ferhadson told WJBK, “before he was allowed in, the security guard stopped him and said sorry you’re not allowed in the school. Security told him men and women in uniform weren’t allowed because it may offend another student.”
The school superintendent Robert Shaner, who is a military veteran himself, went out of his way to apologize to the family for the misconduct of the security personnel.
But the question that should come to mind about protecting students from ‘taking offense’ at a soldier in uniform: what about offending a military officer in the U.S. Army with a long career of service defending Americans from enemies of the country, while putting his life on the line to do it?
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/09/176381-army-officer-walking-daughter-school-rudely-told-cant-enter/
The reason that the military officer was given? His uniform ‘might offend people.’
The security personnel hired by the school told the 24-year veteran Lt. Col. Sherwood Baker that if he wanted to take his daughter inside the building, he would have to go home and change clothes.
Lt. Col. Baker’s wife Rachel Ferhadson told WJBK, “before he was allowed in, the security guard stopped him and said sorry you’re not allowed in the school. Security told him men and women in uniform weren’t allowed because it may offend another student.”
The school superintendent Robert Shaner, who is a military veteran himself, went out of his way to apologize to the family for the misconduct of the security personnel.
But the question that should come to mind about protecting students from ‘taking offense’ at a soldier in uniform: what about offending a military officer in the U.S. Army with a long career of service defending Americans from enemies of the country, while putting his life on the line to do it?
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/09/176381-army-officer-walking-daughter-school-rudely-told-cant-enter/
Posted in these groups: 
Schools
1st Amendment
Schools 1st Amendment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 114
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Unfortunately the correct answer is to abide, because especially in uniform you have to be the bigger person. If you go with answer A, the press gets wind of it and you've just ended your career. Hopefully this no talent, ass-clown, rent-a-cop is now doing security detail for a port-a-john company.
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MSG Brad Sand
Thank you MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca .
I agree with your clarification...no matter how much I would want to throat punch the idiot...the older I get the less tolerance I have for idiots.
In my own little fantasy land. I would first ask the guard “Hey High-speed, do you understand what I am wearing and what it stands for? Didn’t think so. Now step aside because the little girl I am walking into the school isn’t offended by this uniform or the soldiers that defend this Nation, so you probably shouldn’t be either.” If he didn’t step aside, I would then say, “You have about one second to get out the way, or I am going let go of this little girl and she will whoop the shit out of you and any two of your friends. I am only holding her hand to protect you from the worse whipping in your life. She has a very low tolerance for stupid and you cross her threshold as soon as you opened your mouth.” And I am pretty sure my six year old could take him. Especially with me pulling guard duty right next to her.
I did say it was my own little fantasy land?
I agree with your clarification...no matter how much I would want to throat punch the idiot...the older I get the less tolerance I have for idiots.
In my own little fantasy land. I would first ask the guard “Hey High-speed, do you understand what I am wearing and what it stands for? Didn’t think so. Now step aside because the little girl I am walking into the school isn’t offended by this uniform or the soldiers that defend this Nation, so you probably shouldn’t be either.” If he didn’t step aside, I would then say, “You have about one second to get out the way, or I am going let go of this little girl and she will whoop the shit out of you and any two of your friends. I am only holding her hand to protect you from the worse whipping in your life. She has a very low tolerance for stupid and you cross her threshold as soon as you opened your mouth.” And I am pretty sure my six year old could take him. Especially with me pulling guard duty right next to her.
I did say it was my own little fantasy land?
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SFC Boots Attaway
The LtC called the school super (a marine combat vet) it was resolved real quick and the school principal escorted into the school and the security guard was talked to. The school district is also revising their policy.
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PO2 Robert Lee
Abide to the whims of the security guard for that moment, then go to the principle and pull my children out of that school.
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And.....along with what MSG Wade Huffman was saying, it would go up the chain and back down the chain and I would be finding my way to where the instruction originated.
What country are we living in where the sight of a service member in uniform "may be offensive"?
Stop the insanity PLEASE. AMERICA needs to wake up from this craziness.
What country are we living in where the sight of a service member in uniform "may be offensive"?
Stop the insanity PLEASE. AMERICA needs to wake up from this craziness.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Most likely this was a twisted interpretation to the "Recruiter Laws". Most schools do not allow a military recruiter into the school without a scheduled appointment to be there. This "rule" was created due to the over aggressive recruiting styles of the 90's.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SSG(P) (Join to see) There is always that possibility. That does not however negate the "may offend...." issue.
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SP6 Jessica Regan
American uniform? In America? Give me a break. That's what school is for. I dont know what school the child is attending but over here we see soldiers, police men and even scary towel heads, catholics on ash wednesday with ashes on their foreheads and jewish people with their beanies. Its not like the Emperor walking down the hallway in his new clothes. Educate the kids.
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SCPO (Join to see)
"Scary towels heads"? "Jewish people with their beanies"?, You're kidding me right? Did you really just post that on here, take that offensive intolerant crap to Facebook or one of the news comments sections. There is no thin line between freedom of speech and tactful representation of honorable men and women in uniform.
Tango!
Doc
Tango!
Doc
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And explain to my daughter in front of the security officer, "I'm sorry honey, I am unable to walk you into the school today, because there are people in this country who think its still acceptable to discriminate against others because of their gender, skin color, culture, or in your mother's case, because of the uniform I wear as part of my commitment to defend their very freedoms. Maybe someday we will live in a country free of discrimination." I would then give my daughter a hug and kiss, sending her on her way, stand up, look the security officer in the eye, smile, say "have a good day", turn around and walk away.
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LTC Hillary Luton
PO1 John Smith, I apologize for assuming you would read between the lines on my post. My post was really not about discrimination, although, I would have to agree with MSG Brad Sand. And when it comes to that subject, please refer to the good old fashioned Webster's best before you start quoting EO regulations. I like sticking to basic facts before quoting bureaucratic policy.
That being said, first, I was only relaying a possible scenario. Considering the fact that I neither have children, nor do I make it a habit of throwing the discrimination term into the mix when I'm annoyed by ignorance, this scenario is nothing more than a possibility, not a reality.
That being said, the point in my little scene was more about making the guard stop and think about what he is saying before he opens his mouth and sticks his foot in it. You simply never know how someone will react to your words.
As far as your words are concerned PO1 Smith, I am well versed in EO; however, thank you for assuming I am completely ignorant and know absolutely nothing about EO. You know, considering I'm a woman and I've been in the Army for 32 years and all that. I hope you will also take the time to look up the definition of discrimination in the dictionary. And if you still want to take my post at face value, then you will find, the guard is in fact displaying a form of discrimination according to Webster.
That being said, first, I was only relaying a possible scenario. Considering the fact that I neither have children, nor do I make it a habit of throwing the discrimination term into the mix when I'm annoyed by ignorance, this scenario is nothing more than a possibility, not a reality.
That being said, the point in my little scene was more about making the guard stop and think about what he is saying before he opens his mouth and sticks his foot in it. You simply never know how someone will react to your words.
As far as your words are concerned PO1 Smith, I am well versed in EO; however, thank you for assuming I am completely ignorant and know absolutely nothing about EO. You know, considering I'm a woman and I've been in the Army for 32 years and all that. I hope you will also take the time to look up the definition of discrimination in the dictionary. And if you still want to take my post at face value, then you will find, the guard is in fact displaying a form of discrimination according to Webster.
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MSG Brad Sand
LTC Hillary Luton
i have to give you a "Thumbs Up' if you state 'I would have to agree with MSG Brad Sand.' Of course I would also have to click on the thumb for being annoyed by ignorance, and there is so much of it out there.
i have to give you a "Thumbs Up' if you state 'I would have to agree with MSG Brad Sand.' Of course I would also have to click on the thumb for being annoyed by ignorance, and there is so much of it out there.
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SFC Marc Waters
We are good enough to sacrifice our lives for your life and the freedom's you have, but we can't walk our children to school? Those policies need to be changed, and these policies should allow for uniformed members to be able to exercise the rights and privileges they fought for for this country and these schools should recognize that.
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