SwiftVets.com

[olympian2004]

http://boortz.com/nuze/200506/06022005.html

From Neal Boortz:

We talked about this one on the show yesterday, but it didn't make the Nuze. So here we go .. the story of the Anita White Carson Middle School in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia.

Our cast of characters is as follows:

* Matthew Lund, first year teacher - matthew.lund@greene.k12.ga.us
* Ulrica Corbett, Principal. - ulrica.corbett@greene.k12.ga.us
* Zach Richardson, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps.

So .. here's the story, gleaned from the front page of the May 26th edition of Greensboro Herald-Journal.

Matthew Lund and Zach Richardson were college roommates. After college Richard joined the Marines and Lund started teaching. Richardson went to Iraq, Lund to Carson Middle School, there to teach a 6th grade language arts class.

As a class assignment Lund gave his students the opportunity to write a letter to Sgt. Richardson in Iraq. Richardson wrote back and gave the class the names of five other Marines who would like to receive letters. Soon other middle school classes were also sending letters to the Marines in Iraq.


Matthew Lund When Sgt. Richardson returned to the United States he told Matthew Lund that he wanted to come to the Carson Middle School to personally thank the students for their support and letters. Lund filled out and submitted a "Resource Visitor or Guest Speaker Form" and submitted it to Principal Corbett. Lund says he never got the form back from Corbett.

He says he asked the Principal about the form, and was told that she was not going to look at it.

Lund says that he realized his request to have Sgt. Richardson visit the school was going to be ignored by Ulrica Corbett. He made the decision to proceed with the plans for the visit, a visit that took place, or was to take place on May 23rd, one week before Memorial Day.

When Sgt. Richardson showed up at the Carson Middle School Lund took him to the school's media center to prepare to meet the students. At that point, according to Lund, Principal Corbett called him into the hall and told him that the Marine was not approved to be at the school. Lund told Corbett that the proper form had been submitted and had been ignored. Corbett's response was "that's your problem, not mine." Lund's version of the discussion with Corbett in the hallway suggests that Corbett harbored a great deal of hostility toward Sgt. Richardson and Matthew Lund. She told Lund that the students had not earned the visit from the Marine, and closed the discussion with Lund with the phrase "what part of what we just discussed do you not understand?" She then ordered Matthew Lund to escort Sgt. Richardson off the school campus.

When this story hit the local newspaper Ulrica Corbett thought it best to do a little CYA work. She submitted a written statement to the Herald-Journal in which she stated "My decision not to allow Zach Richardson to speak with the students on Monday came out of my regard for the safety and welfare of our children." What a crock. Is Ulrica Corbett saying that this U.S. Marine who had just spent a year putting his life on the line for his country presented some sort of a threat to the children at the Carson Middle School?

My guess? What we have here is some self-important middle school principal who harbors a dislike, if not an outright hatred, of the American armed forces, and who is steadfastly opposed to our actions in Iraq and quite possibly in Afghanistan. This principal then decided to let her petty prejudices stand in the way of what would have been a memorable and rewarding experience for both Sgt. Richardson and the children of Matthew Lund's 6th grade class. Now that's just a guess. I've received messages that Ulrica Corbett has family members in the military and serving in Iraq. You would have thought that information might have been set forth in her written statement to the newspaper. It wasn't

Corbett is saying that the teacher didn't follow protocol. The newspaper has signed and dated copies of the documentation submitted by Lund. Someone here isn't telling the truth. One thing for sure: Protocol be dammed, Ulrica Corbett could have found a way to allow this soldier to talk to the students who had befriended him. She didn't

This morning the story is getting increased attention. Calls have been coming into the Greene County Schools from across the nation. Superintendent John Jackson has offered a written apology, saying that the situation could have been handled differently. The official story still seems to be that Lund didn't follow the necessary steps to get permission for Richardson's visit. I would like to know a little more about Lund's assertion that Corbett told him that she was simply "not going to look at" the written request, and that this was "(his) problem, not mine." Right now it sounds more like the problem was with Corbett, not Lund. I guess it should be expected that the superintendent would protect an established principal in a controversy with a first year teacher on the way out the door.

Thanks to the Herald-Journal the people of Greene County know just what type of person they have in charge of the education of their children at the Carson Middle School.

Government schools. Gotta love 'em.

===
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1415490/posts
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/002625.htm
_________________
Tony in Boulder, Colorado

[LewWaters]

I read the article this morning before work on Free Republic. To say the least, it really ticked me off that any school personnel would treat a returning Marine this way.

I only hope the Principal is summarily discharged, or in our old military lingo, kicked out on her A$$

She did it "to protect the children?" From what? Does she believe the Marine came to murder them? Would she rather the students learn now to "spit" on returning soldiers and Marines? It sure appears that way to me.
_________________
Clark County Conservative

[GenrXr]

It is sad so many men and women sacrifice in blood for the likes of people such as this principal.

What were Jesus last words? Forgive them father for they know not what they do?

America in its greatness protects even the evil left right to freedom, but that doesn't mean we should allow them to be irresponsible with our children .
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

[PhantomSgt]

I'm sure Principal Corbett would have no problem with a teacher inviting a gay group of performers dressed in condoms to appear at the school.

Having lived in Georgia for awhile, I can assure you the people of Georgia love military boys and girls. I wonder how ostracized from her community she has become since this incident.




_________________
Retired AF E-8

Independent that leans right of center.

[BuffaloJack]

I think Ronald Reagan said it best. And it does apply to this principal:
We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind, and if we lose that war, and in doing so lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening.
- Ronald Reagan, 1964

This marine is a man who would say that these children are safe while he is on watch. Why is it that these elitist educators can't except the goodness in our fighting men?
_________________
Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

[GM Strong]

This principle is an airhead and should be relieved. Some of the students will become Marines later on and remember what she did.
_________________
8th Army Korea 68-69

[GenrXr]

Just had a new thought.

They can take children to prisons for a reality check and do scare programs where they talk to violent criminals, yet cannot speak to a Marine who has just returned from half way around the world kicking ass in a far away country so that fight will not show up in their school.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

[becca1223]

I emailed First Grade Teacher Matt Lund my support
for him and his friend, Sgt. Richardson. Mr. Lund sent
me a really nice response. He also gave me Sgt. Richardson's
email address, so I was able to convey my support and
gratitude for his heroic service directly to him

I also sent Principal Corbett an email

[docford]

I contacted the Greensboro Herald Journal. It is a local weekly paper with no website. Below is a copy of the original article, that fleshes this out a little more.

One other item I discovered - this Principal is a former probation officer from Miami. Since the story broke, she has mysteriously vanished, and has not returned to work. Hmmm. Wonder why?

Notice that in her written response to the controversy, this idiot says she did it to protect the children.

Also, she refers to the Marine by first and last name or as Mr. Richardson. He is a Sargeant, he earned that rank, and as a sign of respect should be addressed as Sargeant. I am quite sure the Sarge was respectful to her. She should return the respect.

******************************************************


U.S. Marine Visits Carson Middle School To ThankStudents For Letters During Tour In Iraq, Turned Away By Principal Ulrica Corbett, Before Meeting Students

Students of Matthew Lund's 6th grade language arts class have learned the true meaning of patriotism throughout the present school year.

As part of a class assignment in honor of 9/11, for those that lost lives and the American soldiers fighting for freedom, the students have been corresponding with a U.S. Marine stationed in Al Asad, Iraq.

Sgt. Zach Richardson, the recipient of the students `letters of support and colorful postcards', was introduced to the students through their teacher, Mr. Lund. The sergeant and Mr. Lund had been roommates at Young Harris College.

Sgt. Richardson left for Iraq in July, 2004. Soon after he was receiving greetings from young students at Carson Middle School. He quickly responded and sent the students the name of 5 other U.S. Marines that would welcome cheerful correspondence.

Mr. Lund shared these soldiers names with other middle school teachers and soon middle school teams were sending Christmas greetings and care packages to the U.S. Marines stationed in Iraq. It was just a small gesture to them, but meant a lot to the soldiers fighting for freedom. Through their correspondence and thoughtfulness, these students put Carson Middle School "on the map".

Upon his return to the U.S., Sgt. Richardson wanted to personally thank the students for their thoughts and prayers. In order to accommodate this request Mr. Lund completed the required "Resource Visitor or Guest Speaker Form" on May 3rd and submitted the form to Principal Ulrica Corbett for approval.

According to Mr. Lund, he never received his form back, marked approved or unapproved, and when he asked Ms. Corbett about the request, he was advised that she was not going to look at it.

Feeling that his request was purposely ignored and realizing that he was not going to get any kind of response, Mr. Lund acknowledges that he made arrangements for Sgt. Richardson to thank the students in person on May 23rd, as previously requested.

Sgt. Richardson made provisions to bring military helmets and gear to the school along with the letters he received from the Greene County students. Upon arrival at the school Mr. Lund took the marine to the Media Center to set up his display and prepare to address the students. Mr. Lund was called out into the hall by Principal Corbett. She stated, "Richardson was not approved to be here." When Mr. Lund advised her that the appropriate form had been submitted and ignored, she stated, "that's your problem not mine." Mr. Lund states that he advised the principal that his students "earned this" and Ms. Corbett verbally disagreed.

In the meantime, Sgt. Richardson continued to display his collection of letters, patiently waiting for the moment to meet the students that meant so much to him and his comrades. Principal Corbett addressed Mr. Lund a final time and stated, "what part of what we just discussed do you not understand?"

Mr. Lund advised Sgt. Richardson that he was instructed to escort him off campus and he returned to his classroom and left a message for his students on the board, stating that Sgt. Richardson had to leave due to an emergency.

Matthew Lund is in his first year teaching at Carson Middle School. He attended Young Harris College for 2 years and graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management. He is presently taking classes to obtain certification in English Education.

Around Dec, 2004 or Jan., 2005 this teacher requested a letter of recommendation from his superiors because he aspires to relocate in North Georgia or to the Georgia coast.

According to Mr. Lund, one week after his request, he was advised by Principal Corbett that he would not be retained for the 2005-2006 school year.

After interviewing Mr. Lund in regards to this story, the editor of the Herald Journal asked Principal Corbett for a statement. Ms. Corbett stated that she was unaware of Mr. Lund's request. When a copy of the required request form was produced for her to see, she stated she had never seen it.

When asked if any exceptions to the rules would be considered in light of the fact that this is the week before Memorial Day and a United States Marine arrives at the school to personally thank these extraordinary students, and Ms. Corbett responded, "no exceptions are made regardless of person or persons involved."

After returning to the Herald Journal the editor was contacted by Dr. John Jackson and asked if Ms. Corbett could make a written statement. It reads as follows:

"My decision not to allow Zach Richardson to speak with the students on Monday came out of my regard for the safety and welfare of our children. I was not aware of the material that would be shared with the students because Mr. Lund never afforded me the opportunity to meet with Mr. Richardson and discuss it. Mr. Richardson was invited without my knowledge or approval.

I have supported Mr. Lund's efforts to communicate with the troops, particularly his friend, throughout the school year. I suggested he share it with the school around the holidays and I paid for the postage.

I simply required my teacher to follow protocol. I am sure that if he had done so, we could have agreed upon a date, time and agenda that would have benefited all."

The Herald Journal was shown appropriate, dated and signed documentation regarding his original request. Now, as stated by Mr. Lund, he will be leaving our school system tainted with what he believes is a situation that could have been handled differently

In light of this controversy, the editor of the Herald Journal takes his hat off to the students at Carson Middle School that represented our community. Their selfless acts and their commitment to the U.S. troops abroad are a testament on their own to honoring those standing for freedom for all.[[/u]
_________________
Doc Ford
HMC (SW) USN

[Navy wife]

I sent that woman an email also. What do you bet she deletes without reading? I'm so ashamed of her. Ihope we hear some follow up on this.

Navy Wife

PS
Our church has sponsored a squad of Marines for the past two years and we encourage our kids to write to them. It would thrill those children to have a Marine come say "thank you."

[Me#1You#10]

This educrat personifies those who would "take this country back"...as tho they ever "had" it in the first place. Yet another skirmish in the culture war....