I pledge allegiance to the flag …” the opening line to the United States Pledge of Allegiance, a pledge that people have fought and died for so that Americans may call it their own. The high regard it once was held in seems to have been lost on the present generation. Where once everyone stood and faced the flag with their hand over their heart, many people now sit and wonder why they must go through this procedure.

As high school students, the pledge is played over the intercom every Monday, and students are to stand and recite the pledge. If they choose not to, they can sit quietly and respectfully.

Many in the community feel the respect for the pledge isn’t where it should be in our country. Older citizens remember when every day they would recite the pledge at school as well as at sporting events.

“When we said the pledge at basketball games, when I was in high school, there was more respect,” said Principal Al Root. “You were expected to do it.”

Both St. Theodore’s and Lakeview Elementary say the pledge to begin every school day. Sibley, Halverson, Hawthorne say it at least once a week within their classrooms. Students may choose not to stand and recite, but most do stand. Many school officials interviewed commented that if the student does not stand, it is often because their parents have decided that they don’t want their child to. Elementary students don’t appear to have a problem with saying the pledge because they see is as part of school.

“The pledge is a very important cultural part of the country,” said Principal Al Root. “I question whether students recognize the importance of the pledge and the struggle to get it.”