Are we failing to teach our children to love their country and respect those that came before?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:27:24 -0400

In a classroom, when the announcement was made that students could rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, if they choose to do so. Only one student in a room of 20 students stood up faced the flag and recited the Pledge with the teacher.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Jun 30 at 2015 5:30 PM

SGT Mark Rhodes — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:30:03 -0400

That is horrible at my Kid's schools they do the Pledge of Allegiance every morning and a prayer after that, and it is not a private school.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 30 at 2015 5:30 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:30:23 -0400

Its starts in the home, every one of our homes....I taught mine and am extremely proud of them!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 5:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:30:27 -0400

There's a lot of things that future generations are failing to be educated on, by family.

In Kansas, they are trying to work in things like responsibility for employment and timliness. The things a parent should be teaching their children to prepare them from the real world after school. And that's a disgusting thought for me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 5:30 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:30:27 -0400

When did this become an option? I don't think it is too much to ask that American Citizens stand up and recite the pledge of allegiance.

Response by PO1 Alan John made Jun 30 at 2015 5:39 PM

PO1 Alan John — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:39:45 -0400

It is an unfortunate sign of the "PC" times we live in right now. I teach my preschool grandkids to say "God Bless Ameria !" along with the 4th of July Uncle Sam flag waving doll. The doll was a joke gift from my friend that has become a big hit with my two grandkids.

Back to the classroom I think that all should stand and face the flag and then those who say they are Americans should say the pledge. We said it every day and i turned out just fine.

Hey, don't get me started on how terribly kids are at writing anything now days. Enough said! AJ

Response by SGT Don Matyja made Jun 30 at 2015 5:46 PM

SGT Don Matyja — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:46:16 -0400

I think people think if they do that it would not look pc to others. People are afraid of look bad,and afraid of what others think. They also think it's some one elsa job to teach these thing to their own childen and not be reasonable for these qualities to be instilled in them by thier own examples

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 30 at 2015 5:47 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:47:13 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member like others have mentioned I believe the education starts in the home as you are bringing up your children, respect, manners, behavior, kindness, chores, and lots of lesson to be learned along the way. I think the Pledge of Alliance was an important part of our day when we were kids and said it every morning to start off the school day. Maybe that is what is missing with todays' youth. Maybe we should take a step back in time and do what we use to do when it was working. Just a thought! PS. I remember when I got a paddling for misbehaving in school also. That left a lasting impression on me!

Response by SrA Adam Smok made Jun 30 at 2015 5:51 PM

SrA Adam Smok — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:51:24 -0400

My Daughter is in Sixth grade and my son fourth. I had to explain to them about the 4th of July and about 1776. What are the teachers teaching them if not US History?

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Jun 30 at 2015 5:54 PM

LTJG Robert M. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:54:55 -0400

COL Burroughs pretty much nailed it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 6:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:28:33 -0400

I'll bet if the teacher asked tomorrow, there would be more participants.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jun 30 at 2015 7:07 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:07:25 -0400

I think its more of a case that our leaders are giving us less to respect. For example, how can we proud Americans if we cant get a job because our president gives them to illegals!

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Jun 30 at 2015 7:36 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:36:42 -0400

Yes we are, both at home and in the classroom. Both are the fault of the parents, the former directly as a result of laziness and/or ignorance, the latter for not paying attention to what's being taught and voting for the people who set our educational standards. I'll go farther; children today are being taught nothing but Marxist propaganda about this country and to hate it and view it as the source of all evil in this world.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 30 at 2015 7:50 PM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:50:15 -0400

Education not only begins at home but in the classroom as well. What I think the real issue is, is political correctness. Too many liberals whining "it's offensive to other cultures who aren't American citizens, and their feelings are more important than ours."

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 30 at 2015 7:53 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:53:02 -0400

"Kids" love of country and respect for those who came before...hmm. I too have heard that what today's youth lacks in patriotism, they make up for in self-satisfaction. Lots of moving parts there. Allow me to diagram my thoughts (in no particular order):

1. We've always been a bit of an immediate gratification and youth oriented culture, but I do think it’s become more acute in recent years. Tied into this, a growing narcissistic, reality TV, everyone’s a YouTube star, selfie-taking, "MORE ME NOW!" mentality. It’s not too hard to see that anything that isn’t about or doesn't benefit the self, here & now, isn't important; particularly to the young.
2. The major sources of education for youth outside of the family--formal education and Hollywood--have taken a dimmer view of American exceptionalism, and embraced more of a "world citizen", “everyone gets a trophy”, “no one is better than anyone else” point-of-view.
3. Patriotism and civic duty isn’t taught these days; moreover, “patriotism” is more cliché or a punch line in our popular culture. Not helpful for fostering love of country, but fascinating to watch collectivist thinking (point 2) and narcissistic attitude (point 1) coexist in the same generation of people.
4. When thinking IN GENERAL of American youth’s world view, if all one's troubles have only been of the "1st world problem" variety, and are so accustomed to getting everything that’s needed, if not everything that’s wanted, then what is there to be grateful for? This lifestyle is to be expected. Entitlement requires no gratitude.
5. The past and those who paved the way for today are simply the past; out of sight, out of mind. Besides…youth culture, remember?

It sure starts to sound like a "Git off m-lawn ye dang kids!" kind of argument made by old people. It is. That doesn’t mean there isn’t validity to it. Still, all is not lost.

First, a lot of these things could be said of the youth from my generation, and generations before; at least to some extent. So this is NOT just a Millennial issue, and if it were, just remember it was Gen X and the Baby Boomers who raised them-raise your hand if YOU want to take responsibility for them. I do think much of this is simply a product of being American youth, and the Millennials and post Millennial generations are a big ol' group of "youth". "Kids", the Millennials and post Millennials may have raised the bar on lack of respect and self-interest, but as they mature, I suspect it will get better-to what extent I don't know, but better is better. Love of country and respect for others isn't dead...maybe just resting at the moment.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 8:02 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 20:02:11 -0400

The pledge was adopted to root out commies in the 50s. I couldn't possibly care less if someone doesn't recite it. I don't pledge my allegiance to any flags, personally; I give fealty to my nation and its Constitution.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 30 at 2015 8:09 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 20:09:11 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member This is a tough one for me, for three reasons.

1. My kids were born in the Army, and grew up in the Army. My kids respect the military and our country, but have no desires to serve in the military; probably tired of the Army life. My daughter works for the Army, my wife works for the Army, so that make this a little or lot Jaded.

2. We live in a military community, so and in the midwest, so think we have a patriotic community to be with.

3. I am high school JROTC instructor, and our Cadets stand at attention at the beginning of class, and the recite the pledge, the Cadet Creed, and the Preamble.

All that said, I agree with COL Mikel J. Burroughs, especially as a HS teacher, this all starts at home.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Jul 1 at 2015 7:23 AM

SFC Jason Porter — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:23:30 -0400

Where and what school? I got some choice words for that schools administrators!

Response by SSG Trust Palmer made Jul 1 at 2015 7:47 AM

SSG Trust Palmer — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:47:29 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 7:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:53:06 -0400

We seem to be teaching our kids, "if you don't like it, you don't have to do it." Sounds really nice, but that's not how life works. Adapt and overcome. That only works in a world where everyone rides unicorns on their way to the chocolate waterfall instead of driving a clunker to work.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 2:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:46:55 -0400

I'd say maybe.
I think a lot of community help has been removed because "some" parents don't want anyone to say anything corrective to their children.

Out society has been sucked into this black hole of entitlement and fail to grace the plains of gratitude, respect and honor.

As mentioned in a previous post, these things start at home not in the classroom. It's called home training. Most old school military get it. It's the newbies I see struggling with the concept of healthy parenting despite all of the free programs available.

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 11 at 2015 9:09 AM

MSgt David Haupt — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 09:09:02 -0400

My kids were born into the AF, grew up AF AND they respect and believe in this country. Both are looking at serving either in the military or Federal Civilian. It does start at home with raising the kids to know what is right and what is wrong. Then the media needs to shut their mouth and report news and NOT their opinions on the matter. BUT then again there are some teachers who push their own agenda on the kids (especially true in College).

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 11 at 2015 11:45 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 11:45:22 -0400

In my wife's classroom everyone stands for the pledge, even the foreign students, they may not say the pledge but they sure as hell stand. Beware the wrath of Donna.

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jul 11 at 2015 12:09 PM

SPC Leisel Luman — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 12:09:25 -0400

My kid knew the Pledge of Allegiance at 3 years old. She learned it giggling in the back of the car strapped in her baby seat. I had a captive audience. She also witnessed me back a truck up to a flagpole to remove a tattered and torn flag flying upside down. This was done after a polite request to the manager at McDonalds to take it down was refused. He stated it had been like that for days. I told him this would be the last day!!! She is in pvt school where the pledge is recited every morning outside in formation with parents present. It sickens me how the flag is disrespected in public schools, universities and in public. I have "Disturbed" many peoples "Peace" over our flag and don't plan to stop.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 10:19 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 22:19:00 -0400

Pride and the search for personal glory have replaced respect and love in many children in our country. It looks like the stage is being set for something.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made Jul 15 at 2015 2:20 PM

CPL Eric Allen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:20:47 -0400

In the state of Alaska they still recite the pledge of allegiance and I'm glad they do. But when I graduated high school they didn't and that was 2006 and no one had a reason to why they didn't.