Our youngest son, S. has a couple big school projects left for the remainder of the school year including one on the subject of World War II. He enjoys studying this topic and has already completed a diorama showing the Battle of Gagnon and a video depiction of a paratrooper landing into France. For the final part of this year long assignment, he was planning a report on the equipment and gear carried by an Infantry soldier fighting in Europe. He also interviewed our Uncle Bud, (his Great-Uncle), a Purple Heart decorated veteran of World War II, who liberated not only the death camps of Dachau and Treblinka, but also guarded exiled Prince Ludwig of Austria and his family after the War. (A living treasure and hero, truly.)
Our son's teacher requires that the children discuss their project plans prior to getting started. She told our son that he could not include any information on weaponry as part of his report. Yes, you read that correctly, no weapons for a World War II report. S.told his Dad and I this, and I decided I needed to contact the teacher to follow up.
I left the teacher a voicemail requesting clarity on how a World War II report was to be factually presented without the inclusion of weaponry. She never called me back. However, she did tell S.that he could include weapons in his report if he had substantiating research and documentation on them.
Do you think he will have Any Trouble Whatsoever finding authoritative resources on the guns, tanks, and armament used in World War II? I sure don't! In fact, whole museums and scholarly texts have been devoted to this subject! Imagine that!
I consider it an insult to those who sacrifice and risk so much in the Armed Forces, to have the history of War glossed over in the guise of "protecting the children", and being political correct by denying the horrors and pain of the War to End All Wars, and all the ones that came after it.
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Ugh! This is unfortunate. I think they need to know that war is horrible. It's part of the learning process. If they cannot report on the weapons, although I'm sure he'll find his research, will they be allowed to report on the numbers of casualties? I've been watching the HBO mini-series "The Pacific" and I must say I've been touched and cried many times. But it also took several episodes for me to remember that my grandfather, who unfortunately has Alzheimer's pretty bad, was a marine in the Pacific during World War II. He was in Italy and North Africa first before he was wounded the first time and then after he was better they sent him to the Pacific islands. I'm amazed to watch this show and think he may have gone through some of those things. I do know that he was supposed to be one of the Marines to invade Japan before they dropped the atomic bombs. I had to write a position paper in high school on being for or against dropping those bombs. I went for (although it's sad) as I probably wouldn't be here if my grandfather had to invade Japan.
By the way, I also remember crying doing research into my history papers in high school. I wrote a paper once on the Massacre at Kent State during the protests against the Vietnam War. I cried. I really really cried hard reading the old magazine reports of the day.
First, I want to say "thank you" to your Uncle Bud. We need to preserve all the memories and facts of those who served since it has now been 65 years since the end of that war.
I'm always learning something new from the papers or projects my sons have to do on WWII. My 8th grader just finished a research project and paper on Hitler Youth. These details of this organization were all new to me. I think being able to research how these boys were trained in weaponry and ended up being on the front lines in Normandy and my son being able to paste photos onto a poster board that included these baby faces holding artillery made it extra interesting to him.
I am really shocked by that teacher by her ridiculous talk and her not calling you back.
STUPID!
*Sorry I don't have a more elaborate comment like others before me...*
Heaven protect us from idiots in positions of responsibility! Our youth need to know the reality of war, that it's nothing like war gaming at all, that young men not much older than themselves died in horrific circumstances. As Laurence Binyon wrote, for our tomorrow, they gave their today.
I'm sending your Uncle Bud a trans-Atlantic hug ~ how very lucky you are to have him.
I couldn't agree more. A world war II project with no mention of weapons? Nice to think it had all been sorted out sitting down with a cup of tea - nice but not realistic. Somehow I can't help but think this kind of reaction does a disservice to men like Uncle Bud and my grandfather.
I know you mentioned something about this before, but how ridiculous! The weapons used in wars are an integral part of telling the story. Tanks and bombers made huge differences in WWI and WWII in comparison to earlier wars. That teacher is CRAZY. What's next? She doesn't want to hear any stories about people dying in wars? How are we ever supposed to learn anything from wars unless we study the absolute horrors that they bring. (Also, how in the world do you discuss WWII without mentioning that it ended with the bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki???)
But how wonderful that S had a chance to interview your Uncle Bud. There are so few remaining veterans from WWII. My dad was in the Coast Guard then - I guess they were responsible for ferrying wounded soldiers back from Europe. Based on the letters I have, though, he spent most of his time drinking and chasing girls. :)
I know things have changed a lot, but what? That is so absolutely absurd!
I hate when teachers act wacky.
If they don't want some hyper gun and guts report, I'm sure that can be handled appropriately. Barring any mention goes way too far.
Dear teacher,
WAR means killing people with WEAPONS.
I can see boys getting excited about weaponry and machines, but barring all mention seems a little extreme.
It's me again. Mentioned this to Hubs while we were watching son's baseball game. He teaches 5th grade and he said to tell you that for a project the kids had a choice to create something having to do with WWI or the Women's right to vote movement....and kids brought in tank replica's and even a machine gun made of wood, painted black, and on a stand.
He agrees that teacher is out of touch of veterans.
That is unbelievable. My father was in WWII and the Korean Conflict. I can't imagine reporting on any war without talking about the weapons or deaths.
We went down to the D-Day Museum in New Orleans when it first opened. Go if you can. It is amazing. Our problem was it was only open from 9 - 5 at the time (not sure about now) you need WAY more time to see it than that.
Sounds like your son would enjoy the history of it.
This is the huffy school that was upset over the "cereal killer' thing right?
Tell S. I'm sorry, they are stupid and to consider the source.
Also tell him that Mister Spit has forgotten more about WW2 Planes than most people ever knew.
I'm offended, Martha, of course not at you. I don't "get" the rationale of some of these people "teaching" our children. Obviously your son is old enough to study and prepare a report about the war...what, exactly, are her intentions? I certainly hope she doesn't intend to minimize or dismiss the atrocities. I am so glad to hear of your uncle, his courage, and valor. Kudos to him and to you for speaking the truth. My grandfather was in the Army in WWII but he's been deceased for quite a while. I fear what will happen to a nation in denial.
Good for you, your husband, and your son. I hope he does well!
wow.. just wow..
as my husband was once a soldier.. this is totally offending...
history isn't always pretty, in fact.. most of the time it's not at all... but it IS history...
this just TOTALLY blows my mind and i am so glad you took the initiative to contact the teacher and all.
I remember having a chance to discuss the "bombing of" Pearl Harbor with my grandfather who worked on the Kaneohe Marine base in Honolulu and drove his truck to Pearl Harbor to bring people to safety after the attacks for a school project. We didn't have the restrictions they have now....but how can you talk about war and learn from war when the very act of it is inclusive of all the things they want to censor. Its like learning about football without the ball!
I might add that your son has a golden opportunity to take a great sense of pride from his chance to interview his uncle. I only wish I had done my family right and taken better care to the questions I asked my grandfather and the details of the project. I would like to say he should treat this as a personal project and put forth as much as he can, one day he will value this project.
by the way, feel free to use the Malasada recipe!
This Ozark farm chick thinks our children need to know that 'war' is just not some video game. How could you possible report on World War II and not show how horrifically horrible it was?
Ya'll have a blessed day from the confused hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa!!!
Hey sweetie, I just wanted to thank ya for poppin' in with your sweet comment. Please drop by often, the door of the Ponderosa is always open.
From the stormy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!
UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!
This sounds so familiar he drives me nuts. My son is a history buff - wars intrigue him. He watches the history and military channels and receives WWII and Vietnam magazine and knows so much about the subject it is amazing. Yet, we cann't discuss this information in class or papers. It might turn into another columbine. Are you kidding me?! I wish your son the best on his paper and I hope he teaches his teacher a lesson.
Made me give a little Huh? Outloud! (my Hubby now thinks I'm nuts)
A teacher trying to do right? However reality for everyone is that there most certainly WAS weaponry. Gee
Best of luck sorting this one out!
This doesn't surprise me Martha - ridiculous but not surprising. I'd love to go on a rant about our school system but would risk being fired if I did!
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