So, I am on campus at my son's school a lot. I help out, I am on PTO and I run the three Sholastic Book Fairs. One of the things that bothers me, but I bite my tongue because I respect that not everyone has the same point of view, is that every day the students say the "Pledge of Allegiance" but I frequently see adults, like office staff and other visitors going about their business during the pledge. There is an announcement "Now time for the 'Pledge of Allegiance'" and a pause before that day's students begin over the PA. There is a flag in EVERY room, the library, gym, MPR and main walkway - very small school. No matter where you are (restroom aside) in the pause you should be able to see/find a flag during this time - OR you can stop and pay respect. I have done some research and it is obviously not requred but in my opinion in poor taste to not at least stop what you are doing for 30seconds and not recite or be still/quiet. So, at the risk of opening a can of worms that I may regret later ... what do you do? Recite along, stop and stand quietly or act like nothing is happening? A simple answer is preferred ;)
Obviously, I stop what I am doing/saying and recite the pedge of Allegiance.
ETA: Part of what sparked my super annoyance is the fact that this morning we were prepping for the Kinder Reognition Ceremony and we had a gym full of parents and not one got up to recite and not one stopped talking - aside from myself and another PTO mom that shares my annoyance.
This doesn't happen where I am, because I'm not from the US. However, when it comes to singing the national anthem, then everyone stops and does it. When I was in primary school, we used to have to say the pledge to the Queen, and everyone did it, including the teachers.
I work in a school. I stop, I could be in the bathroom. And I say the pledge of allegiance. I remind others to do so.
My son served six years in the Navy. Not a day goes by that this somehow touches my life and reminds me of what people did to make our country free. One of them is my son. He was not the same when he came back. He did this for all of us, alongside millions of other people's children who grew up in the armed forces. I owe him and millions of others that one minute. Bless you.
I am an educator who works with special needs kids (early childhood students who have autism, specifically). In my classroom I do not stop for the pledge because if I did, I would lose the little attention that I am receiving from them and they would be all over the classroom. Most of my students are not aware that there are people around them and most of them can not handle the sound (a group of students often lead the pledge at our school and they can be very loud) due to sensory issues. So we carry on with our morning. That being said, if my students are not present or I am in the community (my daughter's school), I do stop and recite the pledge with them.
Last March, I was a volunteer judge at the Chicago Public School Science Fair, at the Museum of Science & Industry. Every year, I take a vacation day from work, to participate in this event. They had the Student Color Guard present the American Flag, and then the Pledge of Allegiance. Very noticeably, several of the teachers chose to sit in some of the very few chairs the front, and just look around, while every other teacher, student and guest, stood with pride, to say the Pledge. I find that these teachers are in contempt! If they do not wish to say the Pledge (because of some personal or religious reason) they should quietly move to an area and sit where they do not lead a poor example for the students! We, in Chicago, pay theses teachers better than any teachers in this Country, and we should be able to expect them to show our students the proper respect to our Country and Flag. Last Monday, at the Memorial Day Service at the cemetery, I recalled how angry I was that day, and I am happy that I can let you Mammas know how I felt about these healthy obnoxious teachers, living off my taxes, and enjoying the freedoms of our country, without demonstrating respect for it!
I always say the Pledge of Alligence at my sons's school if I am there for something. It is the least I can do since my father, uncles and husband are Marines, and that they served our country for our freedom.
I would stop too. Seems very disrespectful not too, but....it is people we are talking about...
I always stop. It is my quiet time to not be bothered. But, what also annoys me is that people stop for the pledge but continue talking when it is the 30 seconds of silence. The 30 seconds of silence is a substitute for pray. You can pray, meditate, or just sand quietly.
oh that bugs me so much!! Even just reading about it. I would have said very loudly, "It's the Pledge! Come on you know it" because that is ME, I am just rude like that, lol.
So, obviously my answer is yes, lol.
This weekend we were at an amusement park that plays the national anthem before they open the gates. This guy was on his cell phone and we let that go the first bit but when he started talking about the weather a few of us said "National Anthem Dude". He immediately said goodbye. :)
For those not usually in a school setting as an adult, maybe they see the Pledge of Allegiance as a child/student thing. Most of us haven't been part of it since elementary or middle school. But the Star Spangled Banner is sung at sporting events so even as adults, we experience it fairly regularly, even if only on television. Personally, I'm not in a school setting often when the Pledge is being said, so I might or might not stop and recite it. But at an event where the national anthem is sung, I always stop and give my respect.
I haven't been in that situation yet, but thanks for the reminder that we should ALL stop and honor our country.
I stop and say the pledge.
