Letter to the Principal Who Sent Children Home From School For Wearing the American Flag

This is an e mail sent to a principal in California. On the 5th of May, a Mexican holiday, several students were sent home for wearing the American flag. This is the response of an American who counts immigrants on both sides of his family tree, Italians who fought in World War II and Germans who fought in the revolution.

Dear Sir,
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

People like yourself do know and understand that this country was built by immigrants, but that is only part of it. It was built by immigrants who came here legally, believed in what America stood for, and did what was necessary to become full fledged Americans.

My grandmother arrived here on a boat. She came over with her family from southern Italy by way of Cherbourg. They settled in the mountains of West Virginia and worshipped in their faith late at night in a sanctuary loaned to them by the local Baptist Church. Their father started out working as a laborer for the State Road Commission and eventually built several businesses in Barbour County, West Virginia.

They changed their names. Nicolo became Nick. Franceso became Frank. Philomena became Minnie. They were strictly taught to speak only English because, as my grandmother put it "Dad said that it was rude to speak Italian around natives because they might think you were talking about them." The father sent all of his children to the nearby college.

When World War II and Korea came, they volunteered to go fight for their country and flag. These men and women were and are proud Americans. Yes they retained their pride at being Italian, but not one would place the old country flag over top of that of the United States.

It is a shameful day when American students cannot wear the flag that our forefathers fought and died for because of fear that it might cause offense. And if it does cause offense, so be it! If you are here from another country and the flag of the United States of America offends you, well you know where the border is, buddy. Don't let the door hit you in the rear end on the way out. No one should ever be sanctioned for proudly and appropriately displaying OUR flag.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Smoot
Keyser, West Virginia