Earlier this week while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, senior Rachel Chang interchanged some of the words that I found offensive. Instead of saying “ … one nation under God…” she read the Pledge as “… One Direction under God.” She did this to celebrate One Direction’s album that leaked a week early.

In addition to the interchange of words, senior Corbin Sedlacek took a poll on Twitter about how the Pledge should be recited. As of mid-day yesterday, 53 percent of our school’s respondents said “One Direction” was a better choice than “one nation.”

All of this poses a question: Does our school — our generation — not value the Pledge and what it stands for?

Here’s a little background information about the Pledge of Allegiance: it was originally composed in 1882 by Colonel George Balch. Congress did not formally adopt the Pledge until 1942, and the name “Pledge of Allegiance” didn’t come around until 1945. Many government meetings open with the pledge, as do most school days.

I understand that, according to the Supreme Court case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, students cannot be compelled to recite the Pledge, nor can they be punished for not doing so. I realize that there have been issues with teachers at our school about this. Another staff member at The Mentor told me that in one particular issue earlier this year between students and a substitute teacher in a class she was in, the students had either said the Pledge and/or they stood up respectfully facing the flag while others said the Pledge. The substitute then forced all of the students to stand up and recite the Pledge. If they didn’t do as asked, the students were written up. According to the Supreme Court case the actions taken by the substitute were unlawful.

But knowing this, you must also understand that if you chose not to say the pledge, it is viewed as respectful to stand up and face the flag.

In light of all of this, it must be understood that the words of the Pledge of Allegiance are viewed as sacred and respected dearly by many our country, especially those with a military or security connection. It’s important to me because my dad has served under it.

Although it may seem amusing that the words were mixed while reciting the Pledge, it was truly disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to those who put their lives on the line for our country and our freedom, and it’s disrespectful to their kids who are in our school.