DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
The Day of Remembrance exceeded
expectations.
The Day of Remembrance exceeded expectations.
Slowly but surely the word is getting out about the abortion tragedy and
its impact upon both the unborn and mothers who lost a child. The Naples
Pro-Life Youth Group (see photo left) is one of many groups of who have
participated this year. Next year, a much larger number of schools will
hopefully participate.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Critical to the success of the event was the role played by others.
Two teen groups associated with the American Life League were vital to
success: Whylife and Rock for Life. I talked to Cathy Brown, of Whylife at
the end of the day of April 16. She was excited. Students took literature
to 85 public schools. They had requests for eight media interviews the
last week alone and some media outlets were requesting follow-up
interviews.
Cathy Brown to Freedom To Learn: Letter of April 22. "We feel very
honored to have been able to help spread the pro-life message through the
high schools across the nation. In the wake of the recent shootings in
Littleton, CO, the significance of the Day of Remembrance seems immense.
We are living in a culture that has no respect for life at any stage. Our
teens need the Truth of Christ in their lives and they need to know first
that they have value and are important. And, second that all human life
has value."
Community Christian School, located in Port Charlotte, Florida, with
grades k-12 and 220 students in all, had a beautiful day. Every classroom
had a white rose, the symbol of innocent life. At the start of the day,
students were told the meaning of the rose and that the day, April 16, was
to be set aside to recognize the loss and the harm associated with
abortion. Richard Robertson, Principal, sent a letter home with every
student. In it, he said, "...we must not remain silent ourselves in our
speech or our prayer life to invoke God's will in changing the laws of the
land and to grant mercy and forgiveness to our nation and those who have
been touched by this tragic experience."
An e-mail, and then more, from one teacher in the West. "I am a public
school health teacher. I was fascinated by the info sheet on the Planned
Parenthood versus Casey case. I was thrilled to read about the right to
promote childbirth over abortion...How can I get a parent group involved?"
She later spearheaded a group of kids to hand out literature.
A student in North Florida wrote Whylife. She was the only student
handing out literature. She explained that in the gir's locker room her
materials started a discussion and some girls who were rough-cut and who
had made some bad decisions stood up for her and her message. "I felt very
honored to be a part of this and although it wasn't easy, it was way more
than worth the stupid uneasiness that I had about putting my heart out in
the open...thank you for the opportunity to do this."
A great phone call Wednesday night about 11:30. A youth pastor told me
he had about ninety kids that went to the same high school. He planned to
wear his "Abortion Is Mean" T-shirt to school, go directly to the
cafeteria, and distribute literature to the students in his youth group,
who in turn would pass the literature out. I loved his enthusiasm. His
plan may have been a bit over-optimistic and so we worked out a fall back
position if needed. But he was a great worker.
Socail Rebels. FTL received an interesting e-mail on April 14. It
sourced an article that focused upon "pro-life teens" and the "new social
rebels."
Richland, Washington: We issued a call to several groups and teens. We
got back several responses like this one, from David Skavdahl: "I am
totally interested in this event and I would like to do all I can to
help..." David did help, indeed, and even represented the event on the
media once or twice.
How Do You Forget: Stan Solomon has a radio show out of Indianapolis.
We called Stan and asked if he would be willing to make this a running
issue...that is do a few programs on The Day Of Remembrance. He did five
hours that we know of. But on one of the shows he made a public pledge to
pay for all materials bought by anyone to be used in any school. You can't
ask for more.
It would be impossible to accurately and adequately thank the hundreds
of people that made the Day Of Remembrance a success. A random collection
has been offered above, but many others were vital.
Changes At Freedom
To Learn: Joseph Jolin, Vice-President, and also the director of the Web
site...and also chief fund raiser...has put together an e-mail list of
about 1,000 people. So, you will hear from Joseph now and then. Al Marks
continues on as chief adviser and Treasurer. His help has been enormously
important. Serena Champion, home-school teen, joined the board last March.
Her efforts ignited interest in the local area in the Day Of Remembrance.
Her mother, Terri, is an old hand at getting teens involved...she created
a Teens For Life group about ten years ago. Dr. Beasley has his hands full
this summer. No teaching. But he's way behind in other areas and hopes to
generate interest in FTL's Day of Remembrance 2000.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS:
Museum would at least say something. The Holocaust Museum: Terri
visited the Holocaust Museum. "It was eerie...about half way through the
parallels between what happened then and today just got to me." Wouldn't
be wonderful if the HolocaustMuseum Center responded to our open letter
and did something to stop today's Holicaust of the unborn?
Where Was Right-To-Life?: Look, we know Right-To life is a great
organization. But would it be wrong for them to have written one major
article...or a tiny one...for that matter... announcing the Day Of
Remembrance and the School Board Presentations? I can remember in the late
70's and 80's when getting in to the schools was a primary objective.
Let's be clear, though, we would be the first to appreciate their strong
efforts for the unborn.
Want the best in Florida fruit. You pick it or they will. We
mean the Citrus Place on Bermont Road . Call 639-4584 and set up a
time to pick their delicious fruit ... or have them do it. In any case,
visit the Citrus Place.
Nominate A Pro-Life Educator:
Send in your
nomination of a pro-life educator who has made a difference.
Send
your selection with a phone, fax, or
e-mail and we will contact the
person of your choice ... and recognize his or her effort
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AND WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL BOARD
PRESENTATIONS?
Follow this one carefully.
The school board
presentations went well. FTL will make ten in Florida...we are three
behind schedule right now. There are 63 county boards...we went to
ten...and we had volunteers go to another ten. Also, at about the time of
this mailing, each superintendent, school board attorney, and board
president, will receive dynamite information. They will receive a letter
from Professor Richard Stith, trained at Yale and currently a Professor Of
Law at Valparaiso University. He makes a dynamite comparison SCHOOL BOARD
PRESENTATION between the rights schools have under Roe as opposed to the
Casey decision. In addition, they will receive a letter written to Bob
Bedford, former Deputy Commissioner to Commissioner Brogan. Bedford is
clear: dealing with the issue of life education is solely a matter of
local community control. And outside of Florida? We had some great
participation. There was participation from Cape Cod on the east coast, to
Madeira Beach on the west.
Great stuff.
"It Is very Important to ask the Board to do something.
They may say, "yes," or "no," but they need to be on record."
(Quote of an April 21st participant.)
A PLUG FOR
"ROCK-FOR-LIFE" Rock For Life, www.rockforlife.org,
is a companion organization of Whylife.  Both of these group have ROCK FOR LIFE young leaders in their
20's who speak boldly for the unborn. They simply are not embarrassed
because they are speaking for unborn children lost to abortion. Erik
Whittington and crew of Rock For Life had a coup in June. Gary Charone,
the lead singer for Van Halen, wanted to make a public statement in
support of unborn life...to counteract the position of several other rock
groups. He chose Rock For Life as the vehicle to make this public
statement. It is beautiful and well worded. We needto ensure that
Charone's effort receives public notice. Some of the Rock For Life crew
are joining a group of college students and walking across America. That's
right, LA to New York. Let's keep them in our prayers and respect the
sacrifice they are making.
More info:
call...540-659-4171.
e-mail: whylife@all.org, or rockforlife@all.org.
 Snail Mail to:
FREEDOM TO LEARN
P.O. Box 511231
Punta Gorda, Fl. 33952-1231
E-MAIL:
Phone: 941-639-9192
"Freedom To Learn News Summaries, "
by Dr John
Beasley, Phd and Rev Mr Joseph Jolin, B.A. 
WORRIED ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY ? BLAME ABORTION
!
Pete Petersen has authored a fascinating new book, entitled
"Gray Dawn: How The Coming Age Wave Will Transform America - And The
World." The thesis is simple: WE HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH BABIES !
As a result, several nations with aging populations face the demise of
health insurance programs and inter-generational warfare. While Petersen
does not take a strong position on the morality of abortion, its economic
impacts will stagger key nations. One of the most significant turning
points since the industrial revolution.
One needs to consider these changes; to ponder their relevance.
Presently it is being done in the media which finally is beginning to deal
with this issue. But it must go further, IT MUST GET INTO THE SCHOOLS.
Only there will students be able to fully study and understand the
policies of a generation that has demanded fertility reduction without
considering the serious economic consequences (not to mention the possible
destruction of great gifts in various disciplines) that must be borne.
This issue is developing fast...expect to read and hear more about it.
(Source: New York Times; Pete Perersen's, The Gray Dawn)
NOTE: For nearly three years, Freedom To Learn has
been one of the most active and effective forerunners in bringing these
changes into our schools. We count on you to continue writing letters to
school principals and educators regarding what they can do to help save
the lives of the unborn.
THE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
In several cities
this spring, Operation Rescue Will have parents stand outside of the
schoolhouse doors and distribute literature about birth and abortion to
interested students.
When asked to stop doing so in Atlanta, the issue went to Court. The
judge said that Operation Rescue had a constitutional right to distribute
the literature.
The "Going Back To School" effort is designed to get parent volunteers
to go to a school two or three times a week, for several weeks. Editorials
we have reviewed seem to suggest that the students appreciate the effort.
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BRINGING LIFE INTO THE SCHOOLS:
You must order this
book. It is self-published and will run at a cost of $35.00. This gives
you everything you need to know about how to ensure that students in your
district have access to a strong life message. 
Order, Bringing Life Into The Schools, by John Beasley, Ph.D.
Dr. Beasley has served on the college campus, as a high school and
middle school principal, and is currently teaching United States and World
History at Port Charlotte High School.
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The Future of our Children 
