Attacks prompt simultaneous Pledge of Allegiance at schools

AP National WriterCHICAGO (AP) -- With bombing continuing in Afghanistan and the United States on high alert, students across the nation took time from their afternoon studies Friday to simultaneously recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

For some students, it was a chance to learn what the pledge means. Fourth-graders at Guiteras Elementary School in Bristol, R.I., spent the morning before the pledge discussing the meaning of "allegiance" and "indivisible."

"I think it's for freedom. It means I promise to be a loyal American," said Christian Babic, a fourth-grader who moved to the United States from his native Germany 18 months ago.

The voluntary effort, supported by Education Secretary Rod Paige, was initiated by Paula Burton, a retired California teacher who has been holding an annual "Pledge Across America" for the past decade with only scattered participation until recently.

She said she had no idea how many schools were participating this time, only that she had been swamped all week with calls from teachers and principals.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Burton, who runs the nonprofit group Celebration U.S.A. from her home in Villa Park, Calif.

Paige planned to recite the pledge at 2 p.m. EDT with students from an elementary school in Washington, along with thousands of students nationwide -- from Grace Downing Elementary School in Runnemede, N.J., to Walter Payton College Prep High School in Chicago and Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Oceanside, Calif.

President Bush and the first lady also were expected to participate from the White House.