Harland J. Fletcher, a 17-year-old US Army Reserve Medic and senior at Liberty Union High School in Brentwood, did not walk in his high school's graduation on June 9 because the school refused to let him wear his military uniform to the ceremony, he says.

Private First Class Fletcher was told by the school that if he didn't wear a cap and gown he would not be able to participate and could pick up his diploma the following Monday.

"He basically told me this is a graduation ceremony. You're not allowed to wear that uniform. You're supposed to wear a cap and gown," Fletcher told ABC7.

The school released an apology via CBS Bay Area on Saturday stating: "No slight was meant to Harland nor to the US Army. In fact with a little prior notification I'm sure Principal Walsh and the site administration would've come to this conclusion before the ceremony."

Fletcher said that his counselor told him that he could wear his uniform, since California's Educational Code allows it.

Section 35183.3 of the code states:

"A person shall have the right to wear a dress uniform issued to him or her by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the graduation ceremony for his or her high school if that person meets both of the following requirements: (a) He or she has fulfilled all of the requirements of this code for receiving a diploma of graduation from high school, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. (b) He or she has completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces."

PFC Fletcher enlisted in the army on his 17th birthday and completed basic training.

Even though Fletcher had the right to wear his uniform, the family states that the principal and vice principal told Fletcher that he had to wear a cap and gown in order to walk.

The family was heartbroken over the school's decision.

"I just couldn't, I was in disbelief to see my husband devastated, my son devastated. Being told he couldn't wear his uniform was just crushing," Harland's mother Regina told ABC7.

"I am tired of service members and vets being quietly and systematically denied rights by establishments that should know, respect and abide by the laws enacted on all of our behalfs," Harland's father Bill told KRON4.