Tens of thousands of Americans are petitioning the White House, calling for one victim of last week’s school shooting to receive a full-honors military burial.

Peter Wang, a member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, was killed Wednesday when former student and fellow JROTC member Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Sixteen others died.

According to the petition, Wang was “last seen, in uniform, holding doors open and thus allowing other students, teachers, and staff to flee to safety.” He was just 15.

The petition calls for Wang to be given a full honors military burial.

“His selfless and heroic actions have led to the survival of dozens in the area,” the petition continues. “Wang died a hero, and deserves to be treated as such.” 

Indeed, on Tuesday, West Point granted Wang posthumous admission into the class of 2025. 

One of USMA's priorities is to develop leaders of character who are committed to the values of Duty, Honor & Country. Peter Wang's actions on February 14 are an example of those principles & the academy honors his dream of being a West Point cadet with a 2025 letter of acceptance pic.twitter.com/fycvJBhte8

— US Military Academy (@WestPoint_USMA) February 20, 2018

Recalling a Hero

On Sunday Miami Herald shared a video by Wang’s cousin, Aaron Chen. In the video, Chen recalls how Wang was there for him. When Chen was “the new kid who couldn’t speak English” after moving to the U.S. 10 years ago, Wang “made sure I wasn’t bullied at our first school. Even though he was a whole year younger than me, he protected me.” 

Chen wants Wang to “be remembered as the best brother, cousin, son, and friend anyone could ever ask for.” 

Wang’s third period BRAVO unit JROTC commander, 18-year-old Angelyse Perez, remembered him as “hilarious,” “always happy and bubbly and smilely,” and “loved.” 

So far the petition has over 55,000 signatures. Hosted on petitions.whitehouse.gov, it must garner 100,000 signatures by March 18, 2018 to merit a White House response. 

Wang and two other JROTC members and shooting victims are already receiving Medals of Heroism from the Army. The other recipients are Alaina Petty and Martin Duque, both 14. According to The Daily Beast, Petty’s family received her medal Monday, Wang’s will receive his Tuesday, and Duque’s his on Saturday.

A Burial at Arlington National Cemetery?

The President of the United States and the Secretary of the Army do have the authority to waive the technical requirements for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Ronald Reagan did just that for boxing legend Joe Louis, as one example. Waivers are very rarely issued. The thinking is when you grant a waiver you are denying a space on that hallowed ground for someone who does qualify. 

According to the Arlington National Cemetery Burial Eligibility Act: 

Such waivers for individuals not meeting the ordinary eligibility criteria have been largely based on outstanding contributions to the nation or the military, or deaths under tragic circumstances while serving the nation in some noteworthy capacity.

Whether Peter Wang’s family seeks such an honor or not, this young man in uniform did give his all serving the nation in a noteworthy capacity.