At a Veterans Day event for Bloomington Schools in Minnesota last year, representatives from the American Legion surprised school officials by taking the opportunity to lead students in prayer. So, this year a sensible policy required participating groups to refrain from praying or otherwise promoting religious beliefs from the podium. Some groups decided they couldn't abide that rule. (via Religion Clause)
Teams from the Minnesota Army National Guard and not the American Legion and the VFW will present arms, help raise flags and lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
"My guys say if they can't do the ceremony they've done for 40 years, they won't do it," said Terry Selle, commander of American Legion Post 550. The Legion also will hold back scholarships estimated at $25,000 to $30,000.
There's simply no place at a public school event for someone to stand before the children and ask them to bow their heads and lead them in prayer. Why is it so hard for such groups to acknowledge the importance of government neutrality in matters of religion? It is, after all, one of the freedoms we fight to protect. Beyond that, young students especially should not be led to believe that praising the heroic military and praising God are somehow the same thing. It's a shame that some – including truly outstanding veterans' organizations – insist on blurring that line.
