What happened to God at graduation?

I attended the West Chicago Community High School graduation. My son was a member of the Class of 2010. It was a fine ceremony and we enjoyed it very much. However, one important aspect of the ceremony was missing: Whatever became of the invocation?

It has been a number of years since I have attended a graduation but nonetheless I was shocked to find this hole in the program. My family has enjoyed our involvement in the West Chicago schools, and we have appreciated preservation of traditions such as actual "Christmas" music at choir, orchestra and band performances. We are in the heartland of conservative DuPage County, so I was surprised that all mention of God had been removed from graduation. How many churches are in West Chicago? How many clergy were in the audience? Surely you could find someone who would be willing to thank God for our sons and daughters and to ask for a blessing on their lives.

Is the board of education so gutless that they have succumbed to the political correctness that is choking the life out of our citizens? Are they ignorant of the fact that this great nation was founded on Judeo Christian principles? Are they unaware that those principles are what have preserved our freedom to worship in any way we wish in this country? Do they think that it was a coincidence that when Dr. Cheng listed the accomplishments of the graduates with highest honors they included activities at their church and missions trips?

It is not coincidence. It is a reflection of the fact that one important ingredient in good citizenship is the guiding principles that are offered by the church. I hope that in the future the board will reconsider and include a prayer during the graduation.

Jim McNeil

West Chicago