Paul Kozakiewicz: Fight to Save JROTC Program

This November election is very important. No, not for the usual Plebian responsibilities, but to thwart the School Board from using our children as pawns in a national chess game.

The current San Francisco School Board, in its infinite wisdom, is deciding whether or not to boot the Junior Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program out of our public schools.

But, you ask, why would our elected officials do such a thing? Because of the U.S. government's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy toward homosexuality in the various branches of the military.

The policy has been in the crosshairs of gay activists ever since President Bill Clinton approved the policy in the '90s. A SF Board of Education committee recommended ouster of the program by a 2-1 vote on Oct. 18.

School board members who voted in favor of the motion were Eric Mar and Norman Yee, while Chairman Jill Wynns voted nay. The full Board of Education is poised to vote for a plan that would phase the program out of existence at its Nov. 14 meeting.

For the school board to use our children as pawns in a chess game with Washington is unconscionable.

The JROTC program has been in our schools for 90 years. It is a valuable resource that provides structure for students in need of a strict regimen and a valuable resource for providing our military with future leaders. The military is not a fashionable topic in some quarters of San Francisco society, but its function and necessity to the future of America are unarguable.

Almost every year I take my children to the Memorial Day Parade on Market Street. I want them to know of the sacrifices that have been made for them to "live in the greatest country in the world," as my dad would say.

Anyone who doesn't appreciate the sacrifices that have been made by our military personnel in the past, and continue to be made today, doesn't appreciate the freedom we are blessed with.

Marching every year in that parade are the young men and women who comprise the 1,600-member JROTC program in San Francisco. Students, male and female, from Lincoln, Washington, Galileo and other high schools marching lockstep in their immaculate uniforms. They are respecting those who came before them; and honoring us by being willing to risk their lives to protect and defend our country.

I am proud of these students, who are mostly Asian Americans. They get it.

The School Board mocks these fine students and the fine tradition of our armed services with such a shallow, and mean-spirited proposition.

According to my cousin, a high school principal in the Tracy school district, the JROTC program would be a welcome addition to her school because it would be a good program for certain students who need more structure and discipline. It would help keep some troubled youths in school so they could earn their diplomas.

Our School Board is contemplating slapping this fine program into oblivion to make a point, a very small point, if any, with the bureaucrats in Washington. What a group we've elected to make decisions on behalf of our kids.

This election, vote for candidates for school board who support keeping the JROTC program in our schools. We need level-headed people on this important board who will make decisions based on what's best for our children, not to score political points for a political agenda.

I hope the residents in the Richmond and Sunset districts can find the time to give this School Board a piece of their minds at the Nov. 14 meeting. It will be held at 555 Franklin St., first floor, starting at 7 p.m. To see the agenda, go to the Web site at http://sfusd.edu and click on "Board of Education."

Qualified Candidates
Speaking of School Board candidates, I've run into a couple of local candidates who could make good public officials. Please give them a look before voting Nov. 7.

I met Bayard Fong when he was campaigning outside of the Presidio Middle School, where both of us have children attending classes. Fong supports the concept of neighborhood schools for local residents and he wants to keep the JROTC program in our high schools. He also wants to increase enrollment in the public schools and provide better oversight over school bond monies.

Another candidate, a Richmond District resident named Boots Whitmer, also supports neighborhood schools and the continuation of the JROTC program. She says she entered the race after watching for too long the School Board mismanaging its bond money.

This election is important. Please get out and vote!

Keep the Ball Fields Open
Another important meeting will be held at Fort Mason, on Wednesday, Nov. 15 when the Presidio Trust will be taking testimony concerning the athletic fields in the national park.

Some people have called for removing the current fields and for banning future ones to allow the areas to be reclaimed by nature.

But, as a parent who has been involved in the SF Little League for the past six years or so, I can attest to the dire need for the league and other organizations to continue using the fields in the Presidio.

When we started with the league, all of our games were played in Marin County.

Now, there is a shortage of fields in the City and many families have to travel to Treasure Island for games.

In order to continue its mission providing for the youth of the City, the Little League needs the fields in the Presidio. Then, the organization can continue to foster the development of positive qualities, such as leadership, camaraderie and physical development, we want to inspire in our youth.

Please urge the Presidio Trust to keep its ball fields open to members of the public for recreational purposes.

Paul Kozakiewicz is the editor of the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon newspapers.