Schools honor vets, build ties to military

On Nov. 14, 2001, in a ceremony at the then-newly-opened Century High School, the Board of Education awarded high school diplomas to 12 great men -- World War II veterans who left school, home and family to defend our country.

They never finished high school. They sacrificed so much so that we can live in freedom.

The Carroll County World War II veterans graduation ceremony was the result of efforts of many dedicated school staff members and inspired similar veteran recognition ceremonies throughout the state of Maryland.

A year has passed and some of those men of the class of 2001 are no longer with us. The World War II generation, sometimes referred to as the "Greatest Generation," is leaving us and taking with it an important part of our history. Times have changed; history has not.

Back in the 1940s, a military connection to the community was common and it was part of our culture. Today it is becoming increasingly less common and, unless you live near a military base or fort, the armed forces connection to the community is often distant.

We may only be exposed to the military through newspaper snippets of a neighbor's child who has completed basic training or completed an overseas assignment.

However, it is essential that we maintain a strong connection to our freedom and not take for granted the efforts of our veterans and those people that are serving today.

In Carroll County, we can be proud that the ideals of sacrifice, commitment and courage flourish. Our character education program is strong.

We can be equally proud of some of the efforts in Carroll County schools, particularly Winters Mill High School, to re-establish that connection with history and our community and to honor our veterans.

This year, on Veteran's Day, two Winters Mill social studies teachers, Dave Herman and Rachel Harrison, worked with students to plan a special ceremony. The ceremony was an outgrowth of the Tom Brokaw book, The Greatest Generation, which the whole school is reading. Veterans were invited to the ceremony through news releases, letters and contact with veterans' organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

As veterans arrived at the school, students greeted them and then joined together for breakfast. The breakfast provided an opportunity for the students to talk to the veterans and for the veterans to share stories with the students. Following breakfast, the whole student body was invited to attend the main ceremony in the auditorium.

Students ceremonially escorted the veterans into the auditorium. Jennifer Harford led the Pledge of Allegiance, Patrick Stem read "In Flanders Fields" and James Billingslea read a poem entitled "Just a Common Soldier." Brittany Hamrick read an actual letter from a soldier.

There was also a multi-media presentation that showed shots from the Vietnam War, World War II and the Gulf War.

About 60 veterans were honored. Hundreds of connections with the community were cultivated.

As part of their continuing efforts, students at Winters Mill are writing letters to men and women on a ship deployed to support the war on terrorism. Students are also sending cookies to the personnel on the ship.

The school's community service project this year is to raise money for the World War II memorial. This is an incredibly noteworthy and meaningful project. ...

The board of education is also considering a renewed armed forces connection to the community by supporting Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs. These are low-cost, high-value programs that provide students with opportunities to expand their leadership and communication skills and provide instruction in technology, history, and citizenship.

Century and Winters Mill high schools have applied for the Air Force JROTC program. The programs promote patriotism, community service, and high school completion and develop a high degree of personal honor, self reliance and individual discipline.

Not every student who completes the program will enter military service. That is not the program's purpose. But each student who participates in the program will be a better citizen.

The board is seeking feedback from the community on establishing JROTC programs. Please contact Steven Johnson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, by Dec. 4, if you would like to express support or concern for the program.

The provision in Maryland law that authorizes the awarding of diplomas to World War veterans still exists. The Carroll County Board of Education would be honored to award additional diplomas to those deserving veterans. Surviving family members may receive the diploma on behalf of a fallen World War II veteran.

Please contact Carey Gaddis, public schools Coordinator of Community and Media Relations, at 410-751-3000 for more information.

Thomas Hiltz

Woodbine

The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Education

Schools must respect religious holidays

There are two things that I can't stand: ignorance and hypocrites. I guess Carroll County is not the best place for me to live.

Under the Carroll County Public Schools calendar, students get off school on major holidays -- that's all well and good until you start to wonder, what a "major holiday" is. What is major to one person isn't to others.

My point is that students are out of school on predominantly Christian holidays. We have a "winter break" that is conveniently the same time as Christmas, and by some chance "spring break" always starts with Good Friday and coincides with Easter.

That works out fine if you are a Christian, you don't have to go to school on your most sacred days. Some people don't have it so lucky.

Many Jewish students are absent from school on their holiday of Yom Kippur. As if missing a day of learning is not enough, they are expected to make up that work under Carroll County Public Schools policy.

It seems to me that something isn't fair about this situation. And in a country where everyone is equal, and no religion is favored, how can this happen?

After realizing this injustice I did some research of my own. I went to school system Web site, and looked to see what their vision, mission and beliefs were. On that Web site they said that part of their vision is to have an atmosphere were "each student is valued" and is "encouraged to share their unique ideas." One of their core values is to "treat everyone in an open, honest, respectful manner." I think letting students off school on Yom Kippur is not contrary to those ideas.

The First Amendment states that government shall not make any law respecting the establishment of religion, or the prohibiting free exercise thereof.

When someone can't practice their religion without missing school and worrying about making up the time, that prohibits their worship.

I believe there is a definite need for this policy to be changed. It needs to be changed because of common courtesy. And changing it would show that Carroll County is a place where it's OK to be different, where everyone is tolerant, respectful and has regard for everyone's beliefs.

But to make this change happen, not only does the minority have to stand up for itself, the majority has to be willing to support them and help them.

Pamela Harmon

Westminster

The writer is a member of the Committee for Equal Rights in Carroll County.