RI boy who made banned toy soldier hat gets medal

[The Straight Story]

RI boy who made banned toy soldier hat gets medal

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -A Rhode Island boy whose school banned a hat he made because the toy soldiers on it carried tiny guns was awarded a medal on Friday for his patriotic efforts.

Lt. Gen. Reginald Centracchio, the retired head of the Rhode Island National Guard, gave 8-year-old David Morales a medal called a challenge coin during an appearance on WPRO-AM's John DePetro show.

Centracchio said the second-grader should be thanked for recognizing veterans and soldiers.

"You did nothing wrong, and you did an outstanding job," he said. "We can only hope that kids of your caliber will continue to defend this country."
Centracchio also gave David a certificate that allows him to call himself a brigadier general.

http://www.aolnews.com/story/ri-boy-who-made-banned-toy-soldier-hat/1122165

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. How is wearing a hat with toy soldiers on it defending this country??

Sheesh, if that is all it takes, we can save a bundle on defense spending!

[Lorien]

7. Because guns and militarism are the ultimate expression of Patriotism

In a country that spends half it's tax revenue on war yet won't give a penny to save an uninsured 35 year old from cancer, of course.

[TexasObserver]

2. Was it the one for being a tea bagger?

[Bandit]

3. Is that child conflicted now?

A Big Time General says he did nothing wrong and his teacher says he did....Is he ever to believe his teachers any more? Suddenly the truth becomes very hazy.....For an eight year old no less. This should be a crime..

[The Straight Story]

5. I hope he is conflicted

Otherwise maybe he will be a drone who believes anything someone in power tells him.

And the school was in the wrong in this case.

[madfloridian]

6. Yes, the school was wrong. Thanks for posting this.

I was stunned at the reaction to my thread. The kid is only 8, and they were toy soldiers. I taught that age, and I felt his pain.

I am not much for guns, don't even own one....but in that kid's mind he was showing respect.

[PDJane]

4. There's something in the air down there.............

or maybe it's in the water.

[aikoaiko]

8. Good for the kid.

By my reading of the school policy and Federal law, the kid was within bounds for the assignment and school policy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8585070&mesg_id=8587316