Opposing Obama speech to kids was wrong

President Obama's speech to America's children was inspiring, personal and a pep rally for the values of education and patriotism. It was a call to duty, as heard in previous generations from Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

The decision by many schools to avoid the president's address to our children sent a poor message to our youth that partisan politics should cloud patriotism.

The President of the United States wanted to address the youth of America. In my childhood during the 1960s, to choose not to partake in this event would have been unheard of. Presidents Reagan and Bush Sr. both delivered messages to students without controversy. Laura Bush, a former teacher and wife of recent President Bush. expressed her support for the speech. Jim Greer, the Florida GOP chairman who initially labeled the speech a socialist agenda recanted his claim. Even Newt Gingrich expressed his support for the speech.

It's encouraging for public figures to fortify the message of the importance of education and goals that we as parents and educators wish to convey to our children. It should be an example for others in public life to follow. It's a message that many children desperately needed to hear. Role models are scarce these days, and we have no right to deny our children the opportunity of hearing our message reinforced by successful fellow citizens, despite our political leanings.

We should have supported the message President Obama offered to share with our children. My children were disappointed in not being included, so we watched it together on the Internet. They were delighted, and we had thoughtful and enthusiastic discussion about it afterward. Sharing that experience with my kids was a gift. I'm ashamed of my fellow citizens who took issue with the event.

Jeff Markwood

Hampshire