War Heroes Turned Away from Public School

By Kyle-Anne Shiver

The national organization, Vets for Freedom, is currently sponsoring a Heroes Tour of American cities that will end in Washington, D.C. on April 8 to coincide with General Petraeus' testimony before Congress. Our Afghanistan/Iraq War heroes were scheduled to speak to high school students in Minnesota on Tuesday.

As the mother of grown children, I simply cannot imagine better role models for our young people than our military heroes. These men and women represent the best in self-discipline, honor, and personal responsibility, not to mention the virtue of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Yet, at the last minute the principal of the high school caved to political pressure from parents and outsiders who don't support the war, and cancelled the appearance. Callers threatened to protest outside the school if the soldiers made their presentation to the students.

Unbelievable!

The last-minute cancellation was especially outrageous since the young man who had personally scheduled the appearance was himself an alumnus of the high school.

Pete Hegseth, who served with the 101^st Airborne Division in Iraq 2005-06 had arranged the appearance at his high school, and had this to say about the abrupt shunning of the soldiers:

"I think it's extremely unfortunate that a school would bow to the political pressure of outside groups and not bring in a veterans organization," Hegseth said. "Are we saying that patriotism and duty and honor have no place in our public schools?"

What in the world is this Country coming to?

When honorable men, who ought to be heralded for their service to defend this Nation are shunned by the very people they have risked their lives to protect and defend, something very perverse is taking place.