In the wake of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, classmates of Peter Chang have initiated a petition urging the White House to grant the 15-year-old a military burial. Chang’s final moments were spent courageously shielding his peers and teachers from the violence that unfolded during the attack last week. The accused shooter, 19-year-old Nickolas Cruz, is alleged to have taken the lives of 17 individuals using a semiautomatic rifle.
Chang, a freshman enrolled in the school’s JROTC program, heroically held a door open to facilitate the escape of fellow students and staff, ultimately putting himself in harm’s way. “He was trying to help others get out, and then he was struck,” shared a close friend, Liam Roberts. “He deserves to be remembered as a hero.” Chang had aspirations of attending West Point and was wearing his JROTC uniform at the time of the incident. His cousin, Mia Lin, described him as “selfless and kind,” stating, “He was the big brother everyone wished they had.” Tragically, Chang leaves behind his parents and two younger brothers aged 12 and 6.
Students believe that without Chang’s brave actions, the toll of the tragedy could have been much higher. To honor his sacrifice, they have launched a petition on the “We the People” platform, seeking over 86,000 signatures for a military burial with full honors. Currently, they have garnered around 18,000 signatures, with hopes that the government will recognize his valor even without reaching the signature threshold. This burial would include a ceremonial flag presentation, acknowledging Chang’s dedication to protecting others.
As the community grieves, it has also become evident that the students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman demonstrated remarkable courage during the shooting. Other heroes, like assistant coach and security guard Aaron Feis, perished while trying to shield students from gunfire, alongside geography teacher Scott Beigel and athletic director Chris Hixon, who also lost their lives in the effort to protect their students. In the aftermath, survivors like Emma Gonzalez have declared their intention to become advocates for change, saying, “We will be the generation that stops mass shootings, not just another statistic.”
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In summary, the community is coming together to honor Peter Chang, whose selfless actions saved lives during a horrific event. A petition for a military burial is underway, reflecting the deep respect his classmates have for his bravery and sacrifice.