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Make the pledge mandatory? photo by Bob Pennell Guy Muchmore and the rest of Lone Pine Elementary teacher Jolene Meager's second- and third-graders join in the Pledge of Allegiance, as they do each morning. Many Jackson County students already salute nation's flag A move is afoot to get more Oregon students to saluting the flag. The American Legion wants a law requiring students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms at least once a week, saying it could teach some valuable lessons about patriotism and commitment. "I just don't understand why they stopped doing it," said Liam Gerety, a chaplain for the American Legion who helped craft the bill. "The flag isn't just a piece of cloth, it embodies everything this country stands for." In Jackson County, many educators, especially at the elementary level, agree there is social as well as academic value to reciting the pledge. Many youngsters recite it daily, especially in Medford schools, where the practice is a matter of school board policy. In middle and high schools, the pledge is optional. Backers of the bill told the House Education Committee on Friday they don't want to force kids to put their hands over their hearts and recite the pledge. Students opposed would not have to participate. But the measure would require that schools set aside time each week for reciting the pledge. Gerety said he wants to make sure students are reminded of the sacrifices of those who died defending the country. With more schools cutting out the Pledge of Allegiance and fewer veterans working as teachers and serving on school boards, that message is quickly getting lost, said Jim Willis, commander of the American Legion post in Albany. Rep. Lane Shetterly, R-Dallas, the bill's sponsor, wasn't surprised to learn that many Oregon school children don't have the pledge memorized. Shetterly said he doesn't want to burden schools with more rules. The bill doesn't specify a time or place where the pledge would be recited, allowing each school to decide. And as long as backers don't cross the line with amendments forcing students to recite the pledge, the bill likely won't face much opposition, said David Fidanque, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. The Oregon Education Association and the Oregon School Boards Association have no objections. In schools like Central Point Elementary, classes recite the pledge as a mater of choice. Principal Hal Oxner said he encourages teachers to begin the day with the pledge for the values and sense of community it stands for. "I think we need to get back to a little patriotism," Oxner said. Additionally, the pledge dovetails with the district's character traits curriculum, in which teachers teach ideals of honesty, loyalty, a strong work ethic and patriotism. Oxner knows of teachers who use the pledge as a basis for spelling and vocabulary lessons. In the Eagle Point district's largest grade school, White City Elementary, the practice is similar and more elaborate. Principal Bill Jones says teachers are encouraged to lead the class through the flag salute and the school motto: "We're a community of happy, responsible learners. The work we do today will make a difference in the world tomorrow." In assemblies, the routine expands to include the singing of the school's song, so to be prepared, the tune also is a subject of classroom attention. Jones figures the routine is commonly followed, because kids appear well-prepared to participate in the school's regular assembly programs. Jones sees value in an exercise everyone -- rich or poor, struggling or excelling -- can do together. And, as in Central Point, the ideals expressed fit with school and community goals. Yet underlying any goal must be a desire to achieve, so Jones has some slight reservations about the American Legion proposal. "If we're doing this because we have to, we're losing something," he said. Most of the valley's private schools also recite the pledge each morning, their administrators said, including Sacred Heart Elementary, Grace Christian School and Rogue Valley Adventist School. The law would change practices generally followed at middle and high schools. The pledge, often accompanied by the national anthem, is part of large gatherings, games and assemblies, but not part of daily or weekly routine. That's also the policy at the private Cascade Christian High School and St. Mary's School. At the county's largest high school, North Medford, staff would accommodate whatever change the Legislature might make, said Principal Don Lacey. "If this is something the people of Oregon decide they want, I don't have any problem following the law." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA