What a truly strong and fine letter (“Teachers need to set good example on Pledge”) was written by Barbara Brooks in the Sunday, Aug. 22, Messenger. What Mrs. Brooks observed in the school district where she was working as an aide was as shocking and stunning to me as it was to her.
Is it really only nine years ago since the atrocity happened in New York City? Can it nearly be a decade since we drove down our streets, especially beautiful Gibson Street, and felt the bursting pride at seeing all those individual flags by the curb or on porches — our American flags waving in silently loud approbation of our country and its principles of freedom? Those flags were just one symbol representing the billions of tears shed for our dead New Yorkers, their associates, their families and friends.
And then, just a few years later, to hear that a teacher makes certain that her 12th-year students know they don’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. What is being taught in this district, wherever it was? We need only watch a few episodes of “Jeopardy” to know what the contestants don’t know about the American history earned with so much work, courage and blood by our forefathers and women.
Mrs. Brooks’ letter is another one of those wake-up calls and the timing is perfect. With school orientations for teachers and students looming, I sincerely hope the superintendents save space in their messages for getting folks back on not sacrificing our historical background for our technological future.
Donna H. Andrews
Chairman
DAR Flag of the United States
of America Committee
Canandaigua
