Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds got a more favorable response from St. Thomas veterans Thursday about using Memorial Day as a school make-up day than she did at a vituperative meeting Sunday on St. Croix.
About 20 veterans turned out for Thursday's mid-morning meeting called by the Veteran's Affairs Office to allow the military veterans to voice their concerns about the planned use of Memorial Day.
The meeting opened with Simmonds providing a detailed explanation of how uncontrollable factors made it necessary to schedule school on Memorial Day and other holidays.
Simmonds responded to each veteran in an attempt to assure them that the school system is only trying to fulfill its obligation to students and that officials are aware that any decision about using a holiday is potentially an affront to some.
The most vocal opponent to the planned use of Memorial Day has been veteran Vincent "Beef" Clendinen.
"Veterans are not against kids or against education," he said adding, "What we are against is the use of this day, Memorial Day, as a make-up day."
Clendinen, a former member of the Board of Education, spoke at length about the possibility that both the Education Department and the Board of Education could build in several days that can be used as make-up days when the annual school calendar is developed.
Another veteran, Albert A. Mercer, told Simmonds that he sees the need for students to be taught "the meaning of patriotism."
Mercer said he believes that students must understand that "V.I. veterans fought and in some cases lost their life to protect their freedom." Mercer said he is committed to spreading the word about the importance and significance of the Memorial and Veterans Day holidays. "Until my dying day I will try to convey the meaning of patriotism," Mercer said.
Justin Harrigan said he understood the pickle that the Education Department. has found itself in. But unlike many other veterans in the territory, he supports the department. "It's about the kids," he said.
Harrigan endorsed teaching students in each classroom on May 29 "the meaning of this day we hold so dear."
The task force is expected to revisit the make-up day schedule when it meets again Monday.
