A letter from a concerned parent to her children’s principal & superintendent

I am a parent of two boys that attend Attea Middle School in Glenview. They do not share my last name. I went to Attea last Wednesday evening to watch one of my sons perform in band. My other son showed me around the school. I cannot tell you just how dismayed I was to see that the school was having some kind of "Celebrate French Week.” Have you not been following the news? Are your news sources reliable? Because I can tell you that since 9/11, France has been reported to have sold weapons to those who would wage terrorist attacks against the citizens of the United States and those in its military. These French made weapons have killed many of the coalition soldiers that are fighting to maintain the liberties and way of life for freedom loving people here in this wonderful country that we call home as well as around the world. These brave soldiers are waging a war against terrorism so that the tragic events of 9/11 do not unfold again. We must not forget the lessons of history.

Let me share two quotes that appeared in The Federalist, Nov. 7, 2003 issue:

"As for why the attacks on U.S. forces are on the increase -- as previously noted, the conflict is drawing out Jihadis in the region, who are joining forces with Saddam's Ba'athist loyalists under the doctrine that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." As such, they have formed a unified front endeavoring to stop the Iraqi Governing Council from establishing a democratic foothold in a Muslim nation. Most of the Jihadis are itinerant Islamist militants entering Iraq through Syria and Iran, while the conflict is also drawing Islamists from a few European nations, including Saddam's apologist ally, France, which hosts a large population of Muslims"

"Under John Kerry's 'plan,' Saddam would still be in power, the French would still be selling him the 68mm missiles used in the attack on Paul Wolfowitz's Baghdad hotel last week, and there would still be Iraqis being fed feet-first into the industrial shredders. Or have I missed something?" -- Mark Steyn

Let me remind you that Glenview was home to the Glenview Naval Air Station and that the community took great pride in the base. I for one am ashamed that I did not realize the repercussions of cutting back our military or I would not have supported its closure so that the noise pollution from the planes would cease over my house. I realize my selfishness and the narcissistic thinking that a person has to have to look at the defense of our country in that way. The NAS Glenview provided facilities, services, materials, and training in direct support of all assigned units for their mobilization missions. Had the base been in existence during 9/11 I wonder if you would have had the gall to have a "Celebrate France Week” in the Attea Middle School. I have to think that instead, you'd probably be doing everything in support of our soldiers since the children of those soldiers would still be attending the Glenview Public Schools.

Here's some food for thought lest you've forgotten why we are waging this war against terrorism. Let me share a quote by President Bush, our president for better or for worse:

"We're waging this war in relentless pursuit of the al-Qa'ida network. We're waging this war in Afghanistan against Taliban remnants and al-Qa'ida killers. We're waging this war in Iraq against Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists who seek the return of tyranny and terror. We're pursuing long-term victory in this war by promoting democracy in the Middle East so that the nations of that region no longer breed hatred and terror.

"Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe because in the long run stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. ... The global wave of democracy has barely reached the Arab states. For too long, many people in that region have been victims and subjects. They deserve to be active citizens.”

I doubt if you would ever read these words in The Chicago Tribune or The Chicago Sun Times. It would surprise me because the media seems to be most content trying to smear the efforts of one of the more intelligent, moral Presidents that this country has elected while waxing nostalgic about a President who would commit acts of adultery in the White House, not to mention perjure himself...but I digress.

Let me share a few additional quotes from The Federalist by those in the know:

"There are new concerns for tank crews in Iraq. Recently, an M1A1 Abrams on routine patrol in Baghdad had an unknown yellow molten projectile penetrate its considerable armor, crippling the 69-ton tank. The projectile entered through the vehicle's skirt and drilled a quarter-inch hole through the hull into the crew compartment, where it lodged in a hole 2 inches deep in the armor across from its entry point. Fortunately, the heretofore unknown projectile, most likely fired from an RPG, caused only minor injuries to the Abrams's four-man crew, members of the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Division. We suspect this new weapon projectile was likely Russian or French."

"Speaking of France…not only were they supplying Iraq with weapons after the UN embargo (weapons used against U.S. and allied forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom), but they continue to refuse any substantive support for Iraq's reconstruction. Of course, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, the French still have an outstanding debt from their liberation in WW II. (That's right, folks -- in addition to the priceless debt eternally owed for the tens of thousands of American lives lost liberating France, the Vichy government still owes an estimated $11.8 billion in principal and accrued interest on WW II reconstruction debt.)

The comments I have used here are cited in The Federalist but have been confirmed and validated in most every mainstream news source around the world including; CNN, The New York Times, FOX News, al Jazeera, MSNBC, the BBC, and the big three, ABC, NBC and CBS.

Please don't try to justify having a "Celebrate France Week” at Attea Middle School. It is simply unacceptable and my feeling is that the celebration of a culture that would irresponsibly aid and abet those who would wage terrorism against freedom loving people everywhere should end. Instead, try and instill some civic pride in the students attending your school district. Try to enlighten them about civic responsibility and the costs of freedom, the price that many have paid for our freedom. We are not just entitled to it. We cannot just roll over and ignore those who would choose freedom and liberty in our global community. It is a reality that we are living in a world community and as such we should be taking a leadership role with regard to fostering its morals and values and treatment of humanity. We shouldn’t be apologetic for our strength and wealth and use of force to protect and defend our nation as well as other nations that beg for the rights of freedom all over the world. This should be a part of your schools mission statement, as it should be of all schools. A good way to begin would be to teach history with pride in our country and not try and make us out to be some sort of leech on society (because its simply not true). The way history is currently taught in our schools one would believe we are thoughtless, careless, bullies.

I want my kids to grow up safely and with the same opportunities and privileges that were afforded to me but not at the expense of historical accuracy and civic pride. The idea of promoting a "Celebrate France Week” sends all the wrong messages to our young people. It says that conducting business as usual when the global community has imposed an embargo is correct. It says being irresponsible in your actions so as to promote the deaths of those trying to afford the oppressed freedom is correct. It says obstructing a process which would bring freedom to a people so subjugated to tyranny is all right.

Isn’t it time to stand with freedom instead of with those who would manipulate it for their economic gain? If you agree then I find it incredible that you would condone the promotion of a culture that is literally standing in opposition to the freedom of an exploited people. It seems your "Celebrate France Week” was poorly thought out, championing the narcissistic ideology of the current French government over civic pride. Whose side are you on?

Nancy Salvato is a middle school teacher in Illinois and an independent contractor for Prism Educational Consulting. She is the Educational Liaison to IL Sen. Ray Soden and she works with national and local organizations furthering the cause of Civic Education. She is a columnist for American Daily, The Common Voice, GOP-USA, OpinionEditorials and The New Media Journal.us. Her writing has been recognized by the US Secretary of Education. She has been published in The Washington Times, The Washington Dispatch, Iconoclast, Free Republic Network & Townhall.com., as well as other nationally and internationally published media outlets.