Shark Tank – by Bruce CarrollA young U.S. Marine from New Hampshire and two other colleagues were killed in action by a roadside bomb last week in Afghanistan. The Marine from New Hampshire, Brandon Garabrant, made the news in June 2013 when his high school principal refused to allow him to wear his Marine dress blues at graduation.
Brandon Garabrant’s plan to wear the uniform to the ceremony at ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough hit a snag when the school’s principal told him he must wear the traditional cap and gown.
Garabrant will graduate from Marine boot camp Friday in South Carolina and plans to return home in time to receive his high school diploma the following day, according to the report.
His mother, Jessie Garabrant, told the New Hampshire Union Leader that school officials reportedly cited a school policy on graduation attire when refusing.her son’s request to wear the uniform.
The community rallied behind Garabrant to support his request, but the school refused saying the traditional cap and gown was the only allowed attire.
Garabant, 19, was a volunteer at the Temple Volunteer Fire Department and the community was stunned by his death in combat.
“He absolutely loved doing what he was doing,” said Temple Volunteer Fire Department Chief George Clark told the outlet. “He knew the sacrifice and he was still willing to do it and it was a total shock to hear the news.”
Petersborough Police Chief Scott Guinard told WMUR.com that Garabrant was a close friend with his son, who was a similar age and also interested in becoming a Marine.
“The three best words to describe him: A young gentleman,” Guinard said. “He was a young gentleman who I am extremely proud of and who will be sorely missed by all.”
Read more at http://shark-tank.com/2014/06/23/marine-tried-wear-uniform-graduation-killed-combat/#3glml7syp0m9DxHa.99
Too bad everything he believed was a lie.