
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 16, 1992                   TAG: 9203160172
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SCHOOLS LOST PRAYER, PATRIOTISM

I WOULD like to inform Ralph V. Necessary (letter, Feb. 26) that the loss of prayer and teaching of patriotism in our schools is part of the downfall of this country.

Our children don't know church, patriotism or respect, nor do they seem to care. What's happened? Too much freedom, not enough discipline.

When I attended school, the first thing each day we said our Pledge of Allegiance. Each of us took a turn reading a verse from the Bible, then prayer.

It wasn't long before that ended, though. Our day changed to Pledge of Allegiance and silent time. Those who wanted to pray could; those who chose not to didn't. But you can't tell me our heavenly Father didn't hear each one of those silent prayers and praise them.

As for me: Yes, put prayer back in school, even if it's called "silent time." I know of three little ones he'll hear, my daughter and my grandchildren! SUSAN NIDAY ROANOKE

by CNB