In January 1991, the Jefferson County PTA overwhelmingly passed a resolution asking the District to teach the students about the sacrifices made by the over 40 million Veterans who have served our country during times of war.
This resolution listed the total Veterans by War, as well as those who were casualties. All 40 million of them gave of their time and interrupted their lives to serve us. The 4 million casualties gave far more than this. Freedom is not Free, and these men and women are the ones who have paid the price for our freedom and form of government.
It doesn't seem too great a burden to mention this to our public school student's once a year. You see the resolution did not call for a school calendar day, rather it envisioned some organized acknowledgement once a year regarding these efforts. Something that could be touched upon in say, 10 to 15 minutes of announcement time per year.
Unfortunately, the District does not feel that these 40 million patriots deserve even so much as this barest of acknowledgements once per year. As a veteran, who has at least 3 preceding generations of veterans, and currently a son who is a Combat Medic and a son in law who is a Forward Combat Observer, I find this treatment outrageous.
Like many, I had personal friends who died in or from Vietnam. For example, I watched my cousin Jimmy die slowly as melanoma from Agent Orange claim limb after limb in a futile attempt to prolong his life. Obviously, there is not enough time to discuss each of the over 4 million casualties in school, but they should be acknowledged.
In an effort to see this resolution fully implemented, I sent a letter to Cynthia Stevenson, the Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent, requesting that this resolution be implemented.
On December 6, 2004 (ironically, the day before Pearl Harbor day) she replied "... The school district holds classes on Veteran's Day in order to provide meaning for the day. Many of our schools have specific activities and curricula planned to honor our veterans. We feel secure that these opportunities are value added for all our students."
Well, the resolution and my letter did not call for a calendar day, only acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by 40 million veterans towards our freedom.
Further, I know from first hand experience that many, and possibly most, schools do nothing to honor the day. This experience includes, Martensen Elementary, Jefferson County Open School, Moore Middle, Pomona High, and Lakewood High. Additionally, I have talked with an administrator at Oberon Middle and he has told me that Oberon does not have any programs for Veterans. Finally, friends with kids in Warder and Peck have found no special acknowledgement at Warder or Peck.
In conclusion, Dr. Stevenson's reply appears to be little more than an official brush off. As her letter further states, Jeffco Public Schools is a separate organization from the PTA and makes its decisions independently. .
Well this is one taxpayer who also makes his decisions separately, and I have decided to not vote for one penny more until the District agrees to honor the Veterans who have made its very existence possible.
Lloyd Pearson