Hundreds of thousands of Americans will pay somber tribute to the many American veterans who put their lives on the line for their nation. Flags will fly and anthems will bellow to the tune of America the Beautiful.

Such is not the case with an elementary school teacher in Sarasota, Florida. Rolf Hanson, a fourth-grade teacher at Bay Haven School decided to honor conscientious objectors with a banner for Veterans Day celebarations. His move sparked a heated debate and was the focus of much of Rush Limbaugh's show on Friday.

What is so wrong with Hansen's move? Nothing on any other day. There continues to be raw emotions on the part of Vietnam veterans toward conscientious objectors.

The difference is that many veterans may not agree with a war or the reasons for fighting it, but they feel it their personal and patriotic duty to serve.

I assume that most conscientious objectors are sincere in their objections. But let's face it, there are some who use the conscientious objection as "way out". I had the distinct honor of serving in Vietnam with some very brave men. Few in my unit were convinced the war was a worthy cause. Some of those who opposed the war died in the jungles of Vietnam.

Mr. Hansen has every right to feel the way he does. He can do it without fear of arrest or censorship. But he was wrong in using this time and this method to vent his feelings.