N.J. might end lessons on holidays
Published 9:00 pm Friday, January 12, 2007
TRENTON, N.J. – For World War II veteran Sam Stia, a legislative proposal that would cease requiring New Jersey schools to teach about Veterans Day and Memorial Day can be summed up in two words.
“That’s wrong,” Stia, 83, said Thursday from his home, where he flies an American flag at half-staff to honor fallen soldiers. “We’re just giving our flag away and our patriotism away.”
Stia and other veterans are steamed about the proposal, which lawmakers unanimously passed last month and now awaits action by the governor. It was included as part of a measure designed to help control property taxes, mostly by abolishing some laws on school purchasing and public hearings.
Other holidays about which schools no longer would be required to teach include Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.
New Jersey schools must observe the holidays under a 1967 law designed to promote “the development of a higher spirit of patriotism.” Washington, Florida and Nebraska are among states with similar laws.
“It’s not right. They’re not going to know the sacrifices that were made so they can enjoy the protections that they have,” said Hank Adams, New Jersey VFW adjutant and an Army and Coast Guard veteran.
