Patriotism...it's something that was instilled in me from a very young age. I went to school, we learned about our history as a nation, and we recited the pledge daily...standing up holding our hand over our heart looking at our nations flag. It came naturally and seemed to be normal. Apparently it's not something that is done everywhere however. I have read various news postings and blogs that reveal that in some states it's not mandatory and that it's seen as unconstitutional to require it to be done. This is somewhat insane to me. What is so wrong with taking just a moment a day to take recognition for our country? For the soldiers fighting daily for us? Okay fine...if this seems uneccesary to you...I can respect your opinion on the matter. Everyone has a different view of our nation I suppose.

I came across another news posting regarding a spanish class having to recite Mexico's pledge of allegiance and to sing their national anthem. There was one student who sat down and decided to not participate in the class assignment, and was in turn given another assignment once she verbalized how it was her right to not partake in reciting an alegiance to another country....no matter if it was for a "school assignment" or not.  All of this is ridiculous! it's this simple, take a moment each day in school to play the anthem or the allegiance and have a flag displayed in every room...let the student decide what they want to do. However, we should always give the option to show patriotism on a daily basis and I feel if perhaps we had more encouraging programs going on in school then we would in turn have a more active young adult population getting involved in our government, and maybe have them participate in our community on a regular basis. Let's encourage them to be educated at an early age and after all it all starts with our nation and how much we have learned from our nation's past.