Frankie Girard is an 11-year old by from Orange, Massachusetts. One day, he noticed that another child (a Jehovah’s Witness) in his class was not saying The pledge with the rest of the class. So Frankie asked him why he didn’t recite it. Frankie comes from a family Patriots. His brother serves in the military, as does an uncle, so the family discusses patriotism at home. So when he saw another child refusing to say The Pledge, he asked him why. Words passed, and it is reported on the I Support Frankie Girard and the US Flag Facebook Page that the other child punched Frankie in the face.
Later in the day, during Art Class, Frankie G drew a picture of the American Flag. His teacher was hanging pictures around the room that other children drew, but would not hang Frankie G’s flag. When he asked why, the teacher replied that it made another student uncomfortable (presumably the original boy who wouldn’t say the Pledge, according to what I can glean from the articles, many of which are presenting conflicting information). So Frankie G asked if he could hang the picture on his desk. The teacher again denied him, saying that he was welcome to take it home and hang it up, to be proud of his work there.
According to Frankie G’s father, there have been several reports from the school either leaked or released to the media. One says that Frankie G drew the picture during another class, so was not ‘rewarded’ for his behavior by having his picture hung. Another report says that the picture was, indeed, drawn during Art Class, but that Frankie G asked at the wrong time for the picture to be hung up.
Further, in the wake of this incident, Mr. Girard (Frankie’s father) alleges that the school has accused Frankie of stealing a book from the school library, even though the school routinely stamps the inside of their books, and the book in question – one that Frankie’s mother purchased for him – had no stamp.
Mr. Girard says, on the FB page, “What the school has done has try to defame Franklen so as to silence him. He was yelled at by his teacher and the prncipal, told he was a liar and a thief. Never given the benefit of doubt. The school is afraid to take on the religous views and in fear of violating the civil rights of the other boy and in the process is violating Franks civil rights. According to the ACLU they are also breaking the new bullying laws.”
As of this writing, two separate statements appear on the School’s website. The first states that the school fully supports the Flag, that the students in this school recite the Pledge daily, and other schools in the district recite the Pledge at least once a week. The second, updated earlier today (5/13), is there to “clarify” things, and states that Frankie did, indeed, draw the picture during Art Class, but asked at an inappropriate time for the picture to be hung.
So now the ACLU is involved. Two children are probably completely baffled about the entire situation, and people all across the country are up in arms. All because a school wouldn’t put a piece of artwork on the wall.
Us Girls..Our Views 
Ugh. Sounds like this will go out as a “he said – she said” argument. Though the “asked at an inappropriate time” sounds a bit ridiculous.
This isn’t the first time recently that people have been told that the right to display the US flag in the USA is somehow subordinate to the rights of people who don’t like it. I wonder if this could happen in any other country? Probably not. I think Americans take the cake when it comes to hating our own country.
This is so sad. I’m not even sure what to say. I guess what really bothers me is what would have the harm been to hang the drawing? If they say the pledge, what gives? I think there’s more here that we’re hearing.
I don’t get it. They say the pledge, yet they wouldn’t hang his flag up? I don’t understand either explanation, it wasn’t done it art class (so what) and he didn’t ask at the appropriate time (and???) I respect the fact that the Jehovah’s Witness doesn’t want to recite the pledge, but in the same respect what about the kid that simply drew a picture? If this is to respect the kids that don’t believe in it, where is the respect for the kids that do? I think they are trying too hard to “protect” everyones right, but in turn are doing the opposite. There has to be more to this, there seems to be too many missing pieces because to me, it just doesn’t make sense.
After reading some info on that site I had to delete part of this response due prior lack of knowledge. Instead of violence what’s wrong with the explanation that his religion doesn’t allow it, if indeed that is the case.
For anyone else that takes offense at the American flag….. THIS IS AMERICA. IF YOU WERE BORN HERE, SHOW RESPECT! IF YOU ARE AN IMMIGRANT AND OFFENDED BY OUR COUNTRY, OUR FLAG, OUR MILITARY, OUR CHRISTIANITY, FEEL FREE TO RETURN TO YOUR PLACE OF ORIGIN! GET OFF THE WELFARE SYSTEM AND RETURN HOME WHERE YOU ARE NOT, REPEAT, NOT SHOWN RESPECT, HELPED, AND FUNDED OR GIVEN TAX BREAKS ON SMALL BUSINESSES!
I’m sorry, everyone, but that is truly how I feel. When do we, as American citizens, get shown the respect and consideration that is extended to all the others in our country? Surely we’ve all had people who’ve served in the military. AND THEY WERE PROUD TO DO SO, AS WE ARE PROUD THAT THEY DID AND DO!
RESPECT OUR FLAG, OUR NATION, OUR PEOPLE AND ALL THAT WE STAND FOR! OR, feel free to leave at the soonest possible opportunity.
I agree Phyllis. Why would you move to another place and expect that place to change for you? What gall.
So what happened to the kid who punched him in the face? I would be all about retaining a lawyer and taking both the school and the child’s parents to court. There are a clear number of constitutional violations (I won’t bore anyone with listing them here) which Frankie has been subjected to.
I don’t buy the “asked at the wrong time” story. Who cares when he asked? If a child is proud and confident enough in his/her talents to want to showcase it to their peers, then why not? Unless, of course, there is some underlying political agenda which the kids should never be placed under.
The school is too busy covering its ass to do what’s right and take a firm stance on American values. We have allowed those values to be so diluted as to barely be recognizable as American anymore.
And I won’t abide by any crap about how we are a melting pot . . . that’s blatantly obvious, and entirely welcome. What is not is the continued and increased pandering to those who come here from other places. If you want to be an American, I am the first to stand behind and support you . . . but you better damn well act like one and not like a political sycophant. You will have neither my support nor my respect if you do.