Pledge Of Allegiance In Spanish Sparks Controversy In Edgerton
Veterans Group To Address School Board
Updated: 1:48 pm CDT April 24, 2008
EDGERTON, Wis. -- A controversy is brewing in Edgerton over the Pledge of Allegiance.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportLast month, a Spanish class at Edgerton High School was allowed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, which sparked a controversy between the school district and a local veteran's group.Local Vietnam veteran Al Decker said he was disgusted when he heard about the Spanish reading -- and so was his Rock County legion group.Decker said the pledge, like the American flag, is a symbol of the United States."It was designed in the United States -- the pledge of allegiance. It was designed in English, and I believe that that's the way it should be," Decker said.The Rock County legion group said the act was unpatriotic and a disgrace to what the pledge stands for."In the Spanish class itself, where they're the only ones who are going to hear it, if they do it there, that's one thing," Decker said. "But to do it over the loudspeaker so the whole school hears it -- I believe it's unpatriotic. It's wrong."The Edgerton School District maintains there was no wrongdoing. District administrator Norm Fjelstad told WISC-TV that he stands by the decision to allow the Spanish reading -- and that the practice will continue annually. He said that if anyone has a problem with it, they should take it up with the school district.Decker and nine other veterans said they plan to take the matter to the Edgerton School Board on Monday, demanding a policy change and an apology.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportLast month, a Spanish class at Edgerton High School was allowed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, which sparked a controversy between the school district and a local veteran's group.Local Vietnam veteran Al Decker said he was disgusted when he heard about the Spanish reading -- and so was his Rock County legion group.Decker said the pledge, like the American flag, is a symbol of the United States."It was designed in the United States -- the pledge of allegiance. It was designed in English, and I believe that that's the way it should be," Decker said.The Rock County legion group said the act was unpatriotic and a disgrace to what the pledge stands for."In the Spanish class itself, where they're the only ones who are going to hear it, if they do it there, that's one thing," Decker said. "But to do it over the loudspeaker so the whole school hears it -- I believe it's unpatriotic. It's wrong."The Edgerton School District maintains there was no wrongdoing. District administrator Norm Fjelstad told WISC-TV that he stands by the decision to allow the Spanish reading -- and that the practice will continue annually. He said that if anyone has a problem with it, they should take it up with the school district.Decker and nine other veterans said they plan to take the matter to the Edgerton School Board on Monday, demanding a policy change and an apology. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
