By AnneMarie Knepper
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 12:00 am
HALSEY - Reta Stutz of Halsey chose to keep her two elementary school age children out of school today to honor the veterans in their family as well as veterans everywhere.
School in the Central Linn district was not in session on Monday, but it is today, Veterans Day, which Stutz says is disrespectful.
Central Linn's district superintendent was not available this morning, so could not comment on why the district chose to hold class today.
Stutz said she would like to think there was a scheduling error last spring when the district holidays were being set. However, if that was the case, it should have been corrected, she added.
The school operates on a four-day week. Students usually have Fridays off.
"Teachers shouldn't have to take a personal day to honor their vets," she said.
Stutz said she puts a high value on education but "respect and honor for those that have fought to keep this country free and great is higher."
One of Stutz's sons, 25-year-old Sgt. Danial Stutz, an investigator in the Army, served in Korea and Iraq and is currently serving in Germany.
"We teach our kids to stand whenever the flag goes by, to have pride in their country, and pride in what they are doing."
The Halsey mother said her family usually attends the parade, but the children are trying to overcome colds so they would not be out in the rain today.
Instead, Stutz's kindergartner and first-grader, along with their 1- and 2-year-old siblings, will spend the day baking cookies and making a card for their brother in Germany, as well as Stutz's brother, who served in Vietnam. They will also talk about what Veterans Day is and why it is important.