Posted on May 13, 2015
Lt. Col not allowed in school. Do you remember this story?
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His wife, Rachel Ferhadson, explained what happened via phone. Ferhadson and her husband, Lt. Col Sherwood Baker, had stopped at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills during the day to clear up an issue with his daughter's class schedule.
But when Baker tried to go in, a security guard told him that he could not enter wearing the uniform because it could offend people, Ferhadson recounted.
"They told him some kids might not understand and might be offended. So they gave him a choice, told him he could phone in to the office or go home and change his clothes," said Ferhadson.
At that point, the couple called the superintendent's office from the parking lot and a staff member came out to let him in the school.
Ferhadson says the superintendent, a combat Marine veteran himself, was also "appalled" at what happened and the principal has also expressed regret to the family.
"I feel a lot better about it now than I did 24 hours ago. ... They have taken steps to correct what happened."
Ferhadon says she "doesn't know what they would have done" if officials had stood by the security guard and not allowed her husband into the school.
In a statement to Fox 2 in Detroit, superintendent Robert Shaner said, "The district has apologized for any perception that individuals in uniform are not welcome in the school. The district does not have a policy excluding individuals in uniform and will be working with administration and the firm that handles our security to make sure district policies are understood and communicated accurately."
http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/09/10/army-officer-denied-entry-michigan-high-school-while-wearing-uniform
But when Baker tried to go in, a security guard told him that he could not enter wearing the uniform because it could offend people, Ferhadson recounted.
"They told him some kids might not understand and might be offended. So they gave him a choice, told him he could phone in to the office or go home and change his clothes," said Ferhadson.
At that point, the couple called the superintendent's office from the parking lot and a staff member came out to let him in the school.
Ferhadson says the superintendent, a combat Marine veteran himself, was also "appalled" at what happened and the principal has also expressed regret to the family.
"I feel a lot better about it now than I did 24 hours ago. ... They have taken steps to correct what happened."
Ferhadon says she "doesn't know what they would have done" if officials had stood by the security guard and not allowed her husband into the school.
In a statement to Fox 2 in Detroit, superintendent Robert Shaner said, "The district has apologized for any perception that individuals in uniform are not welcome in the school. The district does not have a policy excluding individuals in uniform and will be working with administration and the firm that handles our security to make sure district policies are understood and communicated accurately."
http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/09/10/army-officer-denied-entry-michigan-high-school-while-wearing-uniform
Respect
Responsibility
Schools
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Yes, I remember the story --- glad to see that the school district has apologized. Thanks for the update!
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SSgt (Join to see)
Yes and the guy from the school who looked into was a veteran but this is like our third or 4th LTC who have received this kind of welcome. lol
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I do remember this story and listened to some radio interviews as well. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Seems kind of down to earth and I wonder who they are hiring for security and what that guy's agenda was?
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I do remember hearing about that when it originally happened a few months ago.
I'm glad we finally know how it worked out and that it was the action (and opinion) of the security guard (possibly the guard's company) and not a reflection of that particular school.
I'm glad we finally know how it worked out and that it was the action (and opinion) of the security guard (possibly the guard's company) and not a reflection of that particular school.
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SSgt (Join to see)
It's funny but this is not the first or even the 2nd, LTC who has been disrespected. At that point you would think there would be some respect...
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It's sad the original thought process exists and the reasoning is even worse. A uniform worn is not capable of offending anyone or anything ... yet the thinking mind can conjure all sorts of inappropriate connections that sully the innocent. My daughters have asked me to wear my uniform to their graduations and I wonder what issues will come from that .....
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Still pisses me off. Something I would have expected out of Berkeley not Detroit. Glad it was resolved!
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Well, at least they are trying to make amends, the school district that is. I still believe that the school security has a problem with military personnel. Who knows, maybe he just doesn't like the military because he was turned down for enlistment.
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SPC Charles Brown
1LT L S
Could be on a power trip I guess, give some people a bit part in force protection and all hell breaks loose.
Could be on a power trip I guess, give some people a bit part in force protection and all hell breaks loose.
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That is unbelievable. When I was in high school, military recruiters (in service dress) would be regular fixtures in the hallways, mostly during lunch. After I graduated tech school, I reported to my hometown for recruiter assistance and did my job in uniform. Of course, many things have changed in 15 years. I can't understand why the presence of someone in uniform would offend someone. With that logic, police officers would be held to the same standard and would border the line of ridiculous and asinine. Glad the superintendent had his back.
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SSgt Charles Edwards
Yes, been an Orioles fan & Braves fan for a long time. That's pretty cool your cousin plays minor league ball. If he's still playing, I wish him the best at reaching the Show.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I am sorry but he died of cancer at age 22. Joel Stephens who also had scholarships to Syracuse.
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