The Pledge In A Small Vermont Town

The Associated Press has reported, that in the small town of Woodbury, Vermont
(pop. 810) a bitter debate has erupted over restoring the Pledge of Allegiance in the local elementary school. The article states that no one's for sure when reciting the Pledge fell by the wayside at Woodbury Elementary School, only that in this small town it is in a bitter dispute.

The school officials have been blocking the "exercise" from classrooms due to concerns that it will place non-participating children in positions for scorn. Those that support the Pledge say the classroom is the place for it, and the disagreement continues to fuel the dispute. The article states that unlike other Pledge controversies, this one is focused on how and where the children should say it, not if they should be allowed to.

The debate in Woodbury began in September, when a parent, Ted Tedesco began a petition calling for the return of the Pledge as a daily practice in the 19th Century schoolhouse, which has 55 children in grades kindergarden through six. School officials agreed to resume the Pledge as a daily exercise, but not in the classroom. Principal Michaela Martin stated, "We don't want to isolate children every day in their own classroom, or make them feel different". Instead, beginning last week, a sixth grader was assigned to go around and gather up all the students wanting to Pledge Allegiance, walk them up steps to a second floor gymnasium, and lead them in the Pledge.

Tedesco, 55, a retired U.S. Marine major, and others who signed the petition didn't like that solution. "Saying the Pledge in the classroom is legal, convenient and traditional", stated Tedesco. And you know, he is absolutely right.

Where have we as a nation, and a people, come to? Instead of Pledging Allegiance to our country and our flag, we are in disputes over where and how. I for one agree with Mr. Tedesco, the classroom is the proper and right place to Pledge Allegiance. A question I have for Woodbury Elementary is where are the teachers, and why aren't they leading the Pledge.

I as Mr. Tedesco, am a veteran, and as I have always been honored to be one. I grew up Pledging Allegiance to my country and yes, saying a prayer each morning in school.
Today, as this article illustrates, we had rather argue over the wheres and hows, rather than focusing on the "Pledging" and why. We still live in the greatest nation on earth, and we are still free. It is my opinion that our children can not be hurt by Pledging Allegiance to the nation that protects and blesses them. It will, however, make them aware that we are one nation, under God and build a sense of patriotism within them.