The Latest: School sorry for Army uniform ban at graduation

BRENTWOOD, Calif. – The Latest on an Army reservist who wasn’t allowed to wear his military uniform at his high school graduation (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

A Northern California high school principal issued a public apology and handed a diploma to an Army reservist who wasn’t allowed to wear his military uniform at his graduation ceremony.

Liberty High School Principal Patrick Walsh apologized to Army reservist Harland Fletcher on Monday, saying he takes full responsibility for the mishap.

Walsh held a private ceremony at the high school in Brentwood that was attended by about 100 people, many of them military veterans in uniform who came to support Fletcher.

Walsh told the 17-year-old he would have to wear a cap and gown over his Army uniform to participate in Friday’s ceremony. Fletcher decided to sit it out instead.

Fletcher says he wants to send a message that the military shouldn’t be disrespected and that servicemen stand together.

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8:41 a.m.

A California school superintendent is apologizing to an Army reservist who was not allowed to wear his uniform to his graduation ceremony.

The East Bay Times reports (http://bayareane.ws/2rSdrHm ) Liberty High School instructed student Harland Fletcher to wear a cap and gown over his Army uniform at Friday’s ceremony. The school allegedly told the student he could not participate in the ceremony if he did not follow the dress code, and Fletcher decided to sit it out.

According the report, as a student who completed basic training, Fletcher had the right to wear his Army uniform at the graduation. Superintendent Eric Volta issued a statement on Saturday where he apologized to Fletcher and his family for the error.

Fletcher will pick up his diploma on Monday.