Some schools, youth sports officials acted inappropriately after terrorism attacks

Some schools,

youth sports officials acted inappropriately after terrorism attacks

Throughout my life the question,

"Where were you when..." comes up in conversation. The most

common question has usually been, "Where were you when President

Kennedy was killed?"

I thought about my two children

yesterday as I sat in front of the television watching history unfold.

I wondered if Starr's Mill High School and Rising Starr Middle School

had gathered the students into the gym or if the individual classes were

watching the events of this most tragic day in our nation's history.

I felt confident the schools

were providing the students with ongoing coverage of this event. I also

wondered about my future grandchildren and how they would ask what their

parents remembered about that day.

I anxiously awaited my children's

return home to hear about the serious discussions that had ensued and

what emotions this had stirred up amongst the students.

When questioned, my son said,

"We didn't watch it." My daughter said, "We watched it

for 10 minutes, then the teachers were ordered to turn off the television

sets."

They didn't watch it.

They sat in their classrooms

and read about American history when they could have been eyewitnesses

to a day that will be recorded in their children's history books.

I am not talking about elementary

school children. Some of these kids are old enough to be drafted and old

enough to vote. They should have been given an option to watch these events

as they unfolded, just as those of us outside of the schools were doing.

The schools teach about wars

that kill thousands, watch films of the Hindenberg burning and see documentaries

about the millions of Jews killed in WWII. What is the point of selective

shielding?

I heard that some parents called

the school and requested their teen not watch the news. I had to wonder

how many of those same parents allowed their teens to watch the movie

"Saving Private Ryan."

I was also dismayed at the

decision of the Peachtree City Little League commissioner who decided

last [Tuesday] night [Sept. 11] was a fine night for a ball game. Yes,

life will eventually go on, but last night was a night of mourning and

a night to show respect to those who lost their lives in this tragedy.

To schedule a ball game that would be ongoing during our President's address

to the nation showed the utmost in disrespect. The message was loud and

clear to these young people what their priorities should be.

I thought back to the night

of Dec. 7, 1941, and wondered if any little league sports were playing

that night. I seriously doubt it. Patriotism and respect went hand in

hand in those days. These days, it appears getting in the first game of

the little league season is more important. We mustn't let anything interfere

with the schedule.

Across the nation, events,

classes, games were canceled. Some for safety concerns, others out of

respect. The Peachtree City Water Authority and the Fayetteville Zoning

Commission were two.

This is a time to strengthen

our feelings of patriotism and part of that is teaching our children about

respect for our great country and respect for the President. Shame on

[those adults responsible] for the message you sent to those young men

and women.

D. Chitwood

Peachtree City