Many Stratford residents are angry after a teacher was denied an unpaid leave to accompany his veteran father overseas for the 70th anniversary of Holland’s liberation. They’re hoping a petition will change the Avon Maitland School Board’s mind.

90-year-old Art Boon fought on the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War. He was invited by the Dutch government to attend the anniversary. He asked his son Rick Boon to accompany him, but Rick’s request for an unpaid leave was denied.

In a phone call with CTV News, Art Boon said he is upset. He wants his son to travel with him as this may be his last trip overseas. Boon said the school board has approved unpaid leaves in the past for his son to travel with him for similar events.

“(Rick’s) a teacher in this very school board and historically both he and his father have come back into the schools wonderfully and have shared their experiences with the students,” Loreena McKennitt said.

When she heard about the Boon’s situation, McKennitt a well-known folk singer, started an online petition.

“It just seemed like something I needed to respond to,” she said.

The petition has received over 1400 signatures, from not just Stratford but around the world.

McKennitt and supporters plan to deliver the petition to the school board on Monday.

Residents argue the trip could be a learning experience for local students.

“The students could learn a lot if the school board changed their decision and decided to act with compassion,” said Stratford resident Jo-Dee Burbach.

“(Rick is) a history teacher, he's been a volunteer with Remembrance Day committees for many years and he's had his father speak at schools and forums so the younger generations are aware of what these folks went through,” said Linda Lindener, who signed the petition.

Earlier this week the Avon Maitland School Board told CTV News while they couldn’t officially comment because of privacy reasons, they confirmed Rick Boon had been granted leaves for similar situations, but was told previously it would be the last time.