George died saving hundreds of lives including his wife and son’s. This version of James T. grew up knowing his dad was a hero but with the pain of never meeting him. Every man his mother dated would have never been able to compare. The man who became his stepdad would have had no chance to live up to the legend that is George Kirk in James’ mind. To him it’s not a symbol of a bygone era, it’s something that his stepdad cares for. So, it must go. That’s literally what drives his character arc in the first movie.

It’s heavily implied if not outright stated (it’s been a while since I’ve seen it) that it belongs to his stepdad. He’s in full teenage rebellion.

This is a back pocket audition song for me. Love it.