The United States Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem have been a topic of national discussion which has begun a dialogue at East Meck.
The ROTC program teaches many values that align with the military, so many of the students understand what people in the army go through and what it means to American citizens.
“We are in ROTC and we have three people who put their lives on the line for this country,” sophomore Anette Jarquin said.
Jarquin understands the struggle that people in the military endure, not just because of the East Meck ROTC staff, but also due to a familial connection.
“I come from a military family,” Jarquin said, “So I understand the importance of what they do.”
Understanding why what the military does to protect the U.S. is important to Jarquin because it is why she takes JROTC and the Pledge of Allegiance so seriously.
Jarquin believes that everyone should stand up and say the pledge everyday out of respect for the people who risk their lives to protect this country, but not everyone agrees.
Many people are against saying the pledge daily, or just do not like the fact that they are forced to do it everyday at school.

“I just don’t like pledging allegiance,” senior Jackson Santander said, “It’s my life I pledge allegiance to myself.”
This is not out of disrespect for our country or the people who fight to protect it, but mainly out of a disagreement with the idea of having a pledge of allegiance.
“I love America, and I have some allegiance to it,” Santander said, “But I don’t want to pledge it.”
Another issue that some people have with the pledge is that they feel that all of the words are not true. Some people believe that there is not ‘freedom and justice for all’.
Members of ROTC see how people fight to try and protect that message though, and still feel that the pledge is important.
“We have to say [the pledge] because these people put their lives on the line for this country,” Jarquin said.