I am writing in response to the controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance being said in Spanish in Edgerton.

Serving in any branch of our military entails and requires many honorable traits: courage, vigor, and most importantly sacrifice. As a citizen of the United States of America, it is my responsibility to acknowledge my personal debt to veterans who have sacrificed of themselves and their families for the opportunities I am granted as a citizen.

I write, not out of irreverence or disrespect towards those who have served for our country, but rather, to voice my dissent with some veterans ' claims that by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, or for that matter, any other language, the students of Edgerton High School were acting "unpatriotic " and as a "disgrace to what the pledge stands for. "

A Vietnam veteran said that, like the American flag, the pledge represents our country. I agree. Both the flag and the pledge were developed at the birth of our nation and have endured, over time, as a symbol of the opportunities, freedom, choice, and hope that the United States offers its citizens. I must ask then, what does the pledge stand for, if not these values?

Contrary to his claim, these symbols and all that they encompass, in no way serve to epitomize the English language as equating with patriotism.

The opportunities and freedoms that the flag and pledge represent do not target any one specific ethnic group, but rather, call for the equal opportunities for all of its citizens regardless of age, gender, religion, marital or parental status, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or physical disability.

This country was founded on the very idea that regardless of these differences among people, each individual would be able to express his or her self.

Built "for the people, by the people, " this country is represented by the citizens who inhabit it.

The English language should not and does not determine a person 's citizenship, their loyalty to the United States, nor their intelligence. It is simply a representation of one of many different cultures and traditions from which this country was built and has thrived.

Also, consider that the United States does not recognize one language among its citizens. Rather, it embraces all. This further demonstrates the need for the acceptance of all citizens, not just the English speaking population.

As veterans who have served our country, please remember that you were fighting for the rights of all citizens, not just those who speak English.

Because the pledge was recited in Spanish does not make it less American, or less patriotic. It simply stems from the promises this country was founded on.

Wollet, of Madison, wrote this column on behalf of her introduction to ethnic studies class at Edgewood College.