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Mayor Stegner disturbed by principal’s actions |
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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
Stev Stegner
Guest Columnist
We have heroes among us — it’s the men and women who serve(d) our country! I have had the privilege to speak at the American Legion Post 225 several times and have been invited multiple times to the VFW. These are America’s heroes. Every time I walk through the doors of these organizations I take time to look at the walls decorated with history.
I am humbled in the presence of those who sacrificed so much for us. As I talk to these men and women, they are proud of America and collectively they represent the freedom we all love.
A bus tour of “Vet’s for Freedom” is touring the country and they had been scheduled to speak at the Forest Lake Senior High. That stop was canceled by Principal Massey.
I am disturbed by his decision not to allow our veterans to speak at the high school. Let’s give our young people an honest education which lets them hear both sides of the issues.
Teachers teach, but speakers have experience and can express things that do not come out of a book, like honor, heroism, pride.
Many of the seniors will be moving out on their own, voting in the coming election, and having to make real life choices, they deserve to know the truth about what happens outside of Forest Lake.
They should hear it from the people like themselves who sat in similar class rooms just a few years ago. Our veterans cannot and would not glorify war, war is not fun, nor glamorous.
What these veterans bring is a message of honor, pride and heroism! Speakers like these bring history to life.
I would love our young people to understand what it is to be proud of who they are and the country they live in.
Yes, America can improve, and I for one am trying to make America a better place as are hundreds of others in Forest Lake. We can make America a better place by having the courage to do the right thing even in the wake of criticism.
Heroes are not just in the military, they are also you and I who teach our children right from wrong, lead by example and give back to our community.
It is a travesty, a student from Forest Lake Senior High was shunned from his very high school he attended just a few years ago.
Is his message not worthy? I cannot imagine the anguish of being so proud of your country and wanting to share your story with the next generation of young people and being barred from the very school you respectfully attended everyday for years.
Couldn’t they have let him back in the classroom just one more day, or one more hour? Is his message not worthy?
I would hope in the future, Principal Massey would have the courage to allow positive influences in our schools even if he is opposed to their views.
Our young people are smart, they should be able to listen to both sides of an issue and draw their own conclusions.
I e-mailed Principal Massey last week to get his side, he as of yet, has not responded.
I am proud to be an American, I hold our men and women who serve(d) our country in the highest regards.
The actions of the Forest Lake Senior High School do not reflect the position of the entire community.
The writer is mayor of Forest Lake. He can be reached at 651-248-5524 or at
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