Corey Shroeder, a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, enrolled in the University of Wyoming after he left the service and was elected to student government. He noticed that, despite the provision for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag before each meeting, it was not being done.

He brought this up to the vice president of students, who told him that the pledge was a sensitive issue, and it might offend their international students. “Multiple student body senators sat me down and said it was a ‘very touchy subject’ and ‘we don’t want to offend anybody.’ ”

Let me get this straight: These international students are allowed to enter our country, attend our schools and get an education, but they might be offended by other students willingly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

Perhaps American students, like Shroeder, are offended by not being allowed to vocalize their feelings for their country – the country that provided the opportunity for the development of a system of education that can be advantageous not only to American citizens, but students from around the world.

Perhaps foreign students should (and I’m certain many do) show enough gratitude for their opportunities in this country to tolerate, if not participate in, a rite of gratitude to her.

That they study here does not alter the fact that the opportunity only exists because this is the United States of America. If students of any nationality are offended by the existence of this country and can’t tolerate hearing one of its traditional oaths, maybe they should avail themselves of another of our freedoms – seeking their education in a country which does not offend their sensibilities.

All Americans should be offended by this political correctness, and American students should be allowed to express pride in their country.

Tim Hulsey

Bowling Green