Ladies, I am writing to express my opposition to a decision made by your administration to alter a photo of a United States Marine for display on McKay High School premises.
I submit to you that this censorship will only serve to misguide the young adults you are supposed to be educating. We have a patriotic duty to acknowledge the fact that the servicemembers currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are doing dangerous work in an attempt to spread peace and democracy to a part of our world that desperately needs it. You cannot adequately convey that message by sanitizing photos as you see fit.
Please reconsider your stance on this issue.

Sincerely,

Chief Warrant Officer Matt Frazier, USMC

My name is Jennifer, and my son Cody recently returned from his first tour in Iraq (specifically Fallujah). It is, definitely, appalling to hear the school will not allow the picture to be posted in its true form.

Cody’s high school allowed him to attend a full day of Government classes with his best friend Justin (also a Marine in Cody’s company). They spoke to each class, answered questions, and were allowed to be candid and honest in their answers. The truth, Cody felt, was important for his former underclassmen (including his younger brothers Junior class) to know. The local newspaper showed up that day, and printed Cody and Justin’s stories. The media, of course, appreciated the honesty, but the biggest impact was on the students, and all of the educators that made their way into the Government class to see and listen to their former students…now Marines.

I am sending this, also, to Salkeiz…they need to know that this is not a time to hide the truth, but respect it, honor it, and let everyone see and hear it. Cody’s former high school obviously gets it, hopefully Salkeiz will get it, too.

Jennifer L. Kay

Proud Mother of Lcpl Cody 3/1 India Co.

Proud Friend of Lcpl Justin 3/2

I am a Marine that served back in the late 50's and early 60's and I am writing about the Marine's picture that you chose to "edit" so it can be displayed in school. I think that you all should re-consider your actions and stand up and tell the world that you are proud of our fine young people over there protecting you!! Sincerely,

Senior-Vice Commandant

Marine Corps League Post #239

Daniel Cotter

Dear Mmes. Baker and Richardson:

I recently read of a student of yours who brought in a photo of her brother, a combat veteran Marine of Operation Iraqi Freedom--and was dismayed that her teacher was instructed to edit the photo to omit the rifle he was holding.

Are you not intent on educating children in a truthful manner?

If the case exists that you do not agree with the war in Iraq, I say this to you: your politics should have nothing to do with teaching children about the realities of history including war and how wars are fought and the courage shown by those who volunteer to fight in them.

My brother is also a Marine, a combat veteran of OIF, and this direct smack to all brave servicemen greatly bothers me.

As far as I know (having attended a public high school) educators waste no time lauding America's "failure" in Vietnam, and showing movies about wars (I was shown Glory, Good Morning Vietnam and Apocalypse Now) and you're worried about a REAL LIFE HERO holding a weapon who helped free an oppressed country?

I wonder if you have children, I wonder if they have video games, or watch violent movies. I wonder if you know any combat veterans--young or old--and really understand the sacrifice they make to keep America safe and free and free opressed people. Nothing my brother, and your student's brother has ever done has or will make me as proud as serving in the United States Marine Corps.

This is not about politics; it is about history. You have an obligation as an educator to educate your students in a honest manner. Or, are you so politically motivated that you feel whitewashing a picture will help people understand the realities of war?

Remember, you are free because many have died in war for this country.

I hope you take this to heart, and keep in mind the sacrifices made for ordinary citizens everyday by our military.

Sincerely,
Noelle Franzen
"Freedom Isn't Free"

Dear Ms. Richardson, I live in Albany, Oregon and I have two sons who graduated from South Albany High School (2000 & 2004). Two years ago I attended a football game at McKay High School. My youngest son was the starting quarterback for South Albany at the time and we were playing football against McKay that night. During half-time we were treated to a great show. There was a huge parade of McKay student clubs as well a group of motorcyclists, a local Harley Davidson club I believe, who rode onto the center of the football field bearing the American flag. The crowd was riveted and the air was energized with patrotism. The announcer then proceeded to make an awesome and chilling announcement. He was honoring a former record-holdiing McKay football player (I think I also recall that this student's name and photo was still hanging in the locker room at McKay), now a decorated Marine, home from his first tour in Iraq following the American invasion. This honoree, unbeknownst to him that he was even being honored, was standing on the sidelines of the football field talking to former teachers, students and parents. This honoree was Bill Riecke. As his name was announced he waved his hands to the crowds of people in the stands and around the field. The crowd errupted in applause with shouts and offered him a standing ovation ~ an outward expression of admiration ~ an outward expression of gratitude and thanks. I was sitting in the visitor bleachers that night. I was sitting next to two other Albany parents, one whose husband was preparing to leave for Iraq as a member of the National Guard Reservists, and another whose son was also a Marine and would be leaving soon for Iraq as well. I don't know if you were present that night or even if you were associated with the school at that time. But I can tell you that the entire half-time event is something I will never forget. There was such a sense of pride for Mr. Riecke, for McKay High School and for our Country - a crowd of "American's" uniting in their pride and patriotism. I had reason recently to visit a Marine webpage in which I read about the Bill Riecke "Marine photo situation." I would like to express the following observation and opinion regarding this issue. I can not begin to understand or agree with the position you and the Salem-Keizer school district has taken regarding the editing of the photo Bill's sister brought to school. How can your school offer a public tribute acknowledging Mr. Riecke's accomplishments and his former association with McKay High School, and then so blatantly disregard his personal sacrifice as well as his personal request to not edit the photo. If for all of time we edited photos, that in our opinions, might promote evil and/or violence, what kind of history would we have? What could we teach? What we would know to be true? Have you edited all of the history books in your school district to be sure there are no photos depicting soldiers with guns? Have you removed all newspapers with photo's depicting soldiers with guns from your school libraries? We, as a society, may not agree with the truth we live with today. We may not like that our children live in a world in which violence and terrorism is so real. But our children are much more wise and resilient than your policy is gving them credit for. I urge you to reconsider your position. DO NOT edit this photo. Honor your former record-holding McKay football player/McKay H.S. graduate's request and post the photo his sister brought to school in it's original format. Honor Bill Riecke's service to America! A Proud American Mrs. Carrie Pool

They will have to replace all of their history or government books if they are going to stand by this kind of policy and for sure none of those history movie clips that might have guns in them. And, this could carry over to any English class that might have a book about war or heaven forbid a Shakespearean tragedy with any kind of weapon in it.

I am apalled at your decision not to let this teacher hang a picture of a US Marine in his classroom. That same Marine is providing the very freedom that we enjoy today. Its not about your freedom of speech. You people just don't get it !!

Why don't you take the time and explain to these kids that if it wasn't for this Marine and others before him with their guns they wouldn't be enjoying all the freedoms they do have. Teach them to be proud of their service men and woman that VOLUNTEERED to protect them.

People like you are the problem with our society.
If you ever have to confront an enemy with a gun....you would be the one to run and hide behind that Marine and cry help me.

You have made a bad bad choice here.

I will be forwarding this story to all the media.....especially Bill O' Reilly and Shaun Hannity.

Gregg
Proud Marine Dad
Son deployed in Iraq

Dear Ms. Baker, Are you aware that every Marine, no matter what his assigned duty is a Rifleman first and foremost? What would you have our Marines and soldiers enter combat with? Flyswatters? Do you truly believe that removing the "tool" that our fine Marine uses in combat from the photo is going to help the world? Do any of the kids in your high school know what the Holocaust was? Do you? You, Ms. Baker, need a serious reality check. Our Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen are all putting their lives on the line for ALL OF US. You should recognize that they cannot defend us or protect our nation unless they are armed. I thank God you are just a school superintendent, and not our Secretary of Defense. I think you owe the Rieckes and all our military personnel an apology. Get off your PC horse and let kids have ALL the information. They can make up their own minds with out you deciding what is appropriate for them. Good luck, Karey Keel-Stidham Proud Marine Mom

We send our children to school to learn. We trust teachers and educators with our children. Teachers are with them more during the day than with their parents. You have to be a VERY special kind of person to be a teacher or care giver. You have to want to make a difference in a child's life. You have to do something that they may remember their entire lives. Obviously Mr Costa is a very wonderful teacher who continues to remember those students who made a difference in his life. He is trying to teach the kids the real world, not only that these graduates may have been high school heros but the same students have gone on to help make world history. They were given independence and freedom of choices along with educational smarts, but now they have moved on to bigger choices of independence, responsibility, patriotism, freedoms, honor, valor and ethics, all in a days work for any branch of service. They have moved on from high school football heros, class president and honor role students. Why has McKay High School retreated and why is it moving backwards? Unreal! Do you think every graduate has a white or blue collar job...sorry we need our military also. When those kids graduate from high school and come out from the protection of their parents, there is a real world out there filled with terror, pain, heartbreak, fear.....when the lights go out, it gets pretty scary after sunset. They don't have to be taught how to use a gun, but they should be taught what guns are really used for....WAR! Guns should not be used by gangs or people who can't handle life's reality....those are the people who should not have guns but end up having them. They kill innocent citizens. When in war, innocent citizens get killed also sometimes, but so do the insurgents who have destroyed thousands and thousands of innocent citizens for no reason. My son returned last week from IRAQ. Everyone in WAR has a gun and a BUDDY! What should a soldier be holding....a pea shooter? Get real, get back into the real world. These kids have all seen guns, we grew up with war shows and western shows 50 years ago. Everybody got killed with guns, pistol, arrows and shotguns in those shows. There were even cannons and lets not forget about racism about Indians and blacks right here in the USA! Get out of the dark ages and let these kids see real heros. Let them put a face on a hero. When my son left for IRAQ, my 12 year old took a Marine poster to school for a project. As he started to send pictures home from IRAQ, Ryan took those to school and yes, David was holding a gun. It was his brother over there, fighting for freedom, fighting for their safety and their security. When his picture went up, there was a real face to the war. The poster was put in a glass bulletin board and was seen by all kids k-8. Because of the very small kids I did not send a poster with guns, however, I believe high school kids would be able to comprehend the real pictures of war by this time. Those kids were so behind in our project of sending care packages to these troops. They collected 187 containers of powdered juice mix for the troops. They even sent their allowances to me for shipping costs. They wrote cards out for every holiday that I would send over. In those cards they spoke their little minds. All of them said how thankful they were that you are protecting us and hoping they stay safe. Some mentioned how brave and heroic they were for helping children in IRAQ their age. Others asked how they were doing and asked about their familes back home. If grade school kids know what is going on over there, I can't believe high school kids do not have the comprehension of knowing there are people getting killed and saved by the soldiers caring guns for protection and to free a world who has not seen freedom for over 30 years. Come out of your shell because the real world has been out for a long time especially since 911. GIVE ME A BREAK! Your not helping our kids by showing them the truth, you are hindering them from the real world. Keep them away from the news Media who show the bad and get them connected to the Internet and find out about all the good things that these brave men and women do over there. Like you the news media is afraid of showing we are doing good over there, they only want to show the bad. These are our heros, not Video games and Clint Eastwood or other move stars. The ones who fight and lose their lives for your freedom....start giving them the credit they deserve and the benefits they should have. Our sons and daughters are proud of their brothers and sister and parents. Why aren't you proud of them. What are you afraid of? PROUD MARINE MOM OF A BRAVE SON WHO SERVED IN IRAQ! PROUD NAVY WIFE OF A BRAVE HUSBAND WHO SERVED DURING VIETNAM! Sandy Arensdorf, Iowa