Controversy Over Graduation Attire

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Posted: 5:32 PM Mar 28, 2008
Last Updated: 10:23 AM Mar 31, 2008
Reporter: Breann Bierman
Email Address: breann.bierman@weau.com

31 comments

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A local high school student was hoping to walk across the stage to pick up his diploma in his Marine Corps uniform, but after the administration said 'no' to the request the issue has received plenty of attention from local veterans.

Daniel Lingen of Bloomer is at the San Diego Marine base to complete basic training, while his father, Charles Lingen of Eau Claire is working to make sure his son Daniel's wishes are met.

Marine recruit Lingen wants to wear his dress blues uniform at his graduation ceremony in Bloomer May 31st but after he was told the district disagreed-- veterans from all over the state and representative Jeff Wood are supporting Lingen and hoping to create new legislation to allow it.

Lingen says, "The veterans I saw on thought it was completely ridiculous. The thing is he'd like to wear his dress blues, that and he’s given the respect to the school and I don’t think its so much to ask."

Bloomer Principal Brent Ashland says the decision is not about not being patriotic but the question of what's worthy of special recognition at the ceremony and how they will handle similar cases in the future.

Charles Lingen says Marines do not allow military personnel to wear anything over that uniform -- including graduation gowns.

Lingen says, "If they've earned that and graduated the requirements of the brand of service they selected, I think they should be able to walk across the stage with that because that’s something not everyone can do.”

Ashland says the superintendent sent a letter to the school board to discuss the issue at their next meeting.

The superintendent was not available for comment.

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Posted by: Pam Location: Flower Mound, TX on Apr 23, 2008 at 08:36 AM
As a mom of a son who joined the Army before he graduated high school, I find this appalling.My son, like thousands of others, wanted to protect our freedom and our country. He felt that was HIS duty to do right out of high school. If our children wish to wear their uniforms on graduation, More power to them!!! After all, they are puting their lives on the line for Us! God Bless the Men and Women that Serve OUR Military!! God Bless the United States of America!!!!

Posted by: Marine Supporter Location: Bloomer, WI on Apr 15, 2008 at 09:25 PM
The Bloomer School Board meeting will be held on April 16th at the Bloomer Middle School The meeting starts at 7pm.

Posted by: Bloomer Alumni Location: Eau Claire on Apr 15, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Can you post the location of the School Board meeting set for Apr 16 at 7PM. As a veteran and Alumni, I would like to attend to support this young Marine

Posted by: Kim Leonard Location: Bloomer on Apr 14, 2008 at 08:55 AM
I think it is a shame that this is an issue. He has finished High School and is now going to put his life on the line for his country. He is going to fight for the land of the free. Now he is not free to wear the U.S. Millitary uniform proudly. Principal Ashland "What's worthy of special recognition at a High School Graduation?" All acheivements students have made are worthy and giving your life for your country is more then worthy, sir!

Posted by: Robert Location: Bloomer on Apr 5, 2008 at 01:35 AM
As a resident of the Bloomer area, I plan on attending the Bloomer School Board meeting on April 16th at 7:00PM. As a parent, I find it so ridiculous the school administration is not allowing this young man to wear his dress uniform or putting restrictions on it so it's impossible. I watched the news report, and I read the news article. Frankly, I urge veterans from the area to show up at the school board meeting. They should be outraged at this. The military that defends our country comes from our youth, and that youth is high school graduates. Many schools in the area have no problem with it, but why does Bloomer. Bloomer has had a black eye in press a lot recently. Is it going to continue or is it going to fix it and make a lot of people feel good and feel proud of the Bloomer community. Or is the school board going to try bury it and stall? I guess April 16th will be the day. As adults, let's set a proud example for our youth. I hope that WEAU-TV 13 is there covering it.

Posted by: Chad Location: Bloomer on Apr 3, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I live in the "Bloomer sschool district" I am utterly appalled at his whole thing. If I had a student, son, friend, that completed high school early. Than went on into a military service & completed it in time for the ceremony to recive his/her H.S.D. "With" his/her class. Than let it be. This person has pleged their LIFE for this country. I think in this countrys' state of active service. We the PEOPLE need to give our all to those who have pleged to give the ultimate sacrifice, "THEIR LIFE" If it is a honor they have gained then let them show it. I don't know about you but I will say WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be more than happy to be @ the B.H.S. to see this young mans attire, be it what it may. I will be more than happy to shake his hand and wish him good luck.

Posted by: bocefus Location: eau claire on Apr 3, 2008 at 01:33 PM
just to correct or redirect the comments of some who are condemning Bloomer's School Board, it is not the School Board who is saying "no". It is the Administration; namely Brent Ashland and Doug Martin. I am certain the School Board is a bit more clear headed than the Administration. after all, they are in place to mop up administrative messes. in the Bloomer newspaper, Mr. Ashland's comments were ("...As soon as you allow students to differentiate from that based upon what they do, what they wear, what they say, then you are essentially singling out individual students and that’s not the philosophy of a graduation ceremony.”). In this case, i feel we had better not allow the validictorian speak or any other excetional student as well. We're all clones after all and nobody should apear different. Daniel, I hope you go to graduation wearing your dress blues as a participant, but if that's not possible, arrive in the general populace please, wearing your dress blues.

Posted by: John Location: Chippewa on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:53 PM
I think if the military allows this student to wear a high school graduation gown at their graduation ceremony, then the high school should allow the student to wear his military uniform at theirs. But since I think it is unlikely that this student could do so in the military, then he should do as everyone else is expected to do and that is to wear his high school graduation gown at high school graduation. If this were allowed, what would students ask to wear next?

Posted by: bswiss Location: Chippewa Falls on Mar 31, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Daniel is returning home to Bloomer as a US Marine to attend his high school graduation, "as a Marine". I think he should be allowed to wear his dress Blues for graduation.

Posted by: Heidi Location: Graham, Washington on Mar 30, 2008 at 11:51 PM
As the daughter of a career Marine, I think Daniel should be allowed to wear his dress Blues for graduation. Let him show his pride in his chosen career

Posted by: sally Location: eau claire on Mar 30, 2008 at 03:55 PM
to Veteran of Life: Because of the Military, Daniel, and all other children have the right to attend school in a free Country! Daniel, above all others, should be allowed and welcomed to wear the Uniform of the Military!

Posted by: Veteran of Life Location: Eau Claire on Mar 30, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Just because he is in the military does not mean he has the choice to do as he pleases. Every other student will be wearing the traditional cap/gown. If he doesnt want to wear it, he doesnt have to attend. He is still in high school and held to their standards, not the militarys. The young man asked and was told no. Move on.

Posted by: Kathy Location: Wilson,WI on Mar 30, 2008 at 07:27 AM
I think the school board in Bloomer should wake up! Let Daniel wear his dress blues to his graduation!! They should all be proud of the fact this young man graduated from Bloomer High School and is now willing to put his life on the line for his country and them also. Don't let this young man leave the school that he has spent the last four years of his life with this memory of being denied this one simple request. As Jamie from Chippewa Falls said, "let them use me as an example for previous exemptions." I was there that night. My son graduated with Jamie, and I think everyone that was in attendence that evening will remember that for the rest of their life. I didn't see anything wrong with that. If Daniel is denied this wish I can't help but wonder how the school board and the city of Bloomer claim to be patriotic? WAKE UP AND SO WHAT IS RIGHT!!!!

Posted by: Perry Location: Eau Claire on Mar 30, 2008 at 01:41 AM
He should be allowed to wear his uniform, but I offer a counter argument. By wearing his dress blues, he breaks the graduation ceremony's "uniform"--caps and gowns. The military has uniform requirements that have to be obeyed, so look at it from that point of view. I guess I'm just a stickler to order, or using "lifer logic" for you vets out there. But the administration's handling of this situation doesn't have this logic, and after allegedly citing a policy that didn't exist, and comparing wearing the U.S. Marine dress blues to a nursing uniform, one has to question the competence of the administration.

Posted by: Daryl Location: Prairie Farm on Mar 29, 2008 at 11:01 PM
This is our Government schools at work!!

Posted by: elle Location: eau claire on Mar 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I wonder if the principal and the school district are getting the response they expected or if they are ashamed enough of themselves now that the story is out. If it were me, I would simply not attend graduation. I can speak from experience that I was much more proud of my graduation from basic training than I ever could have been of my high school graduation. Daniel is not trying to upstage his classmates or prove anything. He is just proud of his accomplishment,his country and his town. Even though his school is not showing a bit of pride in Daniel.

Posted by: Larry Location: Hazen, ND on Mar 29, 2008 at 04:47 PM
It is shameful that there is even a question about this young man accepting his high school diploma in his dress blues. It is certainly a sign of the times and how it is now ‘politically correct‘ to thumb ones nose at the USA and anything patriotic. Does the Bloomer school board love America and are THEY proud of our country? This controversy even being a controversy probably gives us the answer to my question. How very sad for all of us, young and old. Can you even imagine something happening like this 50 years ago?! The school board would have been ousted immediately by an outraged community. Community members, WHERE ARE YOU?

Posted by: Jean Location: Eau Claire, WI on Mar 29, 2008 at 03:41 PM
This man, that has chosen to defend our country in war time, DOES HAVE the RIGHT to wear his military dress for graduation. He should be recognized and commended for making such a decision. GIVE HIM THE RECOGNITION HE IS ENTITLED TO.!!!!!!!! BLOOMER SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS YOUNG MAN, AND SHOULD WANT HIM TO BE IN HIS DRESS BLUES. We need to give him all the encouragement we can before he heads out. How would YOU feel if it were your son or daughter that made this decision, and were not allowed to wear their dress blues to graduation? Take a look at the BIG picture here. He needs all of us to give him all the support we can, and if this helps his self-esteem to be able to head off to the military, what is it hurting to let him wear this for graduation? Bloomer school needs to seriously pick it's battles.

Posted by: Linda Location: Bloomer on Mar 29, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Daniel should be allowed to wear his Marine dress blues at graduation. He EARNED both the uniform and the right to walk across the stage to collect his diploma -- he should be denied neither. The school district's position is insulting to the brave men and women in our Armed Forces!

Posted by: pamela Location: eau claire on Mar 29, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Daniel Lingen deserves to wear his Marine Corps uniform at his Graduation. What a shame he has to go through the flack he is going through to do this.

Posted by: Rodney Location: Wisconsin on Mar 29, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Bloomer...Bloomin idiots on the school board!!! Support our youth and our troops. Yet another black eye for Bloomer.

Posted by: Steve Location: Albuquerque on Mar 29, 2008 at 12:21 PM
I am a miliatry retiree. If I were close to Bloomer, I would come to the graduation even though I do not know Daniel personally. All I know is that he has earned the right to wear his dress blues, and that he has earned the support and admiration of every American. I can think of no finer reflection upon Bloomer than a student in Marine Corps Dress Blues receiving a diploma.

Posted by: shirley Location: eau claire on Mar 29, 2008 at 08:08 AM
That diplomas in a piece of paper, it won't change school records. If he were to walk in with his class, there is no doubt in my mind he will recieve a standing ovation from the crowd. Sad thing. This country doesn't reflect the freedom it used to, nor the pride. The ACLU has taken over this country, and we allowed it. It's time we took it back, and honored our young men, not ignore them as the Bloom High school is doing.

Posted by: Luke Location: Chippewa Falls on Mar 29, 2008 at 07:52 AM
I disagree with the school districts decision completely. I am currently serving in the military and I would feel ashamed of the school I went to for this. If they dont want to honor the fact that this young man has dedicated himself to serve his country then they shouldnt be teaching at all. This is one of those cases where I believe it is a personal reason that the school is doing this, and it basically says "WE DONT CARE." If they cant respect the fact that he is going to serve maybe they shouldnt be here. A good saying to describe their actions simply put "If you are NOT with US, YOU ARE against US."

Posted by: Debra Location: Whitehall, WI on Mar 29, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I can't believe that the School District even hesitated. There's no question in my mind that he should be allowed to wear his dress blues. It's not as if he were asking for anything outrageous. Shame on you. Support our Troops, and if NOT, then support our Youth!

Posted by: Lisa Location: Bloomer on Mar 29, 2008 at 06:51 AM
I think that this is outrageous! Last year I attended the graduation ceremony in Bloomer and truly embarrassed. The kids were dressed like slobs and conducted themselves very poorly. Here is a young man who has dedicated himself to serve the USA and we are denying him the right to wear his colors at his High School graduation. When I graduated from Bloomer, the boys and girls were required to wear dress shoes and conduct themselves appropriately. Bloomer just built this huge veterans memorial and conduct themselves as a patriotic town. The Bloomer school district and the City of Bloomer needs to choose their battles and stop making this town look worse than what it already does. Last year you didn't care what your graduates looked like and this year you are denying this young man to wear his colors. This is just another disgrace to the City of Bloomer.

Posted by: Amanda Location: Bloomer on Mar 28, 2008 at 10:29 PM
This is an embarassment reflecting on our community! Daniel should be allowed to wear his uniform, and there should never have been any controversy surrounding this issue from the beginning! Our country is at war, and this young man has chosen to go into service to protect our country. All Marines wear Dress Blues at formal events, as should Daniel at his graduation. Do the right thing, Bloomer School District, and let this one drop. You are definately in the wrong this time.

Posted by: Jamie Location: Chippewa Falls, WI on Mar 28, 2008 at 09:33 PM
This is crazy. When I graduated from Bloomer I was allowed to stand up and receive my diploma after I was left paralyzed in a car accident my junior year of high school. This young man has joined the marine corp and will soon be defending this country with his life. I think the least Bloomer can do is allow him to wear his uniform. If anyone reads this let him do it and use me as an example for previous exemptions. His reasoning is of more importance then my cause. Let him wear the uniform.

Posted by: Charles Lingen Location: Eau Claire, WI on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:14 PM
To clarify my son's wishes, Daniel was not looking for special recognition at the ceremony. He simply wanted to get his diploma wearing his dress blue uniform in lieu of the cap and gown. He wasn't asking for any special recognition from Bloomer High School.

Posted by: Lynn Location: EauCalire on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Be proud of the service uniform but be proud of your graduation gown.wear it,its traditon besides it could open a big can of worms for others to think they can walk on stage on graduation wearing whatever they want,some of which may not represent anything as pleasant as a service uniform. Set an example before you go to serve your country.You have bigger things to worry about ahead

Posted by: Bloomer Veteran Alumni Location: Eau Claire on Mar 28, 2008 at 07:56 PM
You have got to be kidding. What a slap in the face to those of us that have served. I see no reason why this young Marine should not wear his uniform to his graduation. He is a Marine first and foremost. In fact, if it had happend to me, I just wouldn't have walked across the stage. Period. They can keep their diploma. As a Marine this young man will do things far more important, and he can wear his uniform!

Posted by: April Location: Bloomer on Mar 28, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I have children in the Bloomer school district. I believe that Daniel Lingen should be able to wear his uniform at the ceremony. As long as he has earned the right to graduate and the right to wear the uniform, there should be no question.

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