Dear Editor:
In response to the article from a dismayed grandfather who attended the Trumbull Career & Technical Center Completion ceremony on May 29, he briefly mentions the fact that some man, actually Mr. Gray, the director of TCTC, asked the audience and all present to stand as we honor America with the "Posting of the Colors" by the TCTC AFJROTC Honor Guard.
The writer "wondered why there had been no Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem, nothing except the color guard from the AFJROTC program." Contrary to the writer's opinion, the Posting of the Colors honors America, our veterans and our freedom, just as the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem do. The color guard itself is considered an honor due to the fact that these individual students present and carry the symbols of their unit and our country. This was not a political action. Nor was it influenced by any politician. Goodness knows they get blamed for everything else.
Nearly 380 students crossed the stage to get their completion certificate. Five honor students gave outstanding speeches. AFJROTC cadets saluted the board president after they shook her hand. Respect for our great nation and its freedom was abundant. Regretfully, it was not obvious to everyone. Last week's writer exercised one of those founding freedoms with his letter to the editor. A phone call to anyone at TCTC would have accomplished the same result. But thankfully, we are free and celebrate our freedom in many ways.
We would have phoned the writer to discuss his concerns, but another freedom is not to have a phone number listed to the public. God bless America and the freedom it provides.
Mary Williams
TCTC Board President