Leander (TX) school named after graduate killed in Iraq

Leander is not such a small town; it is a subburb of Cedar Park which is a suburb of Austin. Also, it was not without opposition that the school was named. A number of parents (opposed to the war effort no doubt) thought that the parents should have been the ones to name the school. This despite the fact that no other school in the district has been named by parents. This is a victory as the area is a liberal enclave here in Texas.

Leander is a small town outside Austin, but is actually within the city of Austin limits. The way that school district boundaries are set in Texas has nothing to do with counties or cities. The Leander district is huge, at about 200 square miles of area. What is interesting is that though Leander is more rural, and one might expect it to be more conservative, I find this area around the school to not be. As a teacher in this district, and of many of the students who will attend the named school, I am often dismayed at the lack of patriotism shown by same (and their parents). I was glad to see the district agree to the suggestion put forward to name the school after Lt. Vandegrift. Whether the students agree with the war, or not, they need to be reminded that their freedom is not free. It was hard won by many men and women, and continues to be done so, so that they can have the ability to attend a school and enjoy the freedoms they do!

Only a liberal could oppose this. Liberals love America? Nope. Opposing something like this is a mere fad. A cultural look at me.
Have we become so shallow?

I could see this happening in Massachusetts. When pigs fly and I learn to crap gold coins.

As a graduate of Leander High School (1979), I am proud of the district for doing this.

Of course, it isn't the same country high school I attended, but thank God that there are parents and school board members who realize that our freedoms are not free, and that they still honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

I teach in a private school and, therefore, enjoy a higher level of freedom to express my views. A plaque hangs by my door that honors a dear friend who was killed in Iraq 18 months ago. My students walk by it every day. They straighten it and sometimes make a comment about him or his family. It is a constant reminder to them that "freedom is not free." They respect that reminder.

Kudos to Leander School District for making this decision. Their choice to honor a fallen soldier will, like the small plaque in my classroom, help a generation of students to develop a greater appreciation and respect for our military.

This is a wonderful tribute to a brave man who gave his full devotion to his country. I wish the author had given us the soldier's name and/or provided a link (if possible) so we could have gotten more info. All-in-all, thanks for the nice notice of a communities respect for the sacrifice of one of their own.

For John, and any others who might be interested, the young man was named Matthew Vandegrift. You can find more on the story by going to the school district website. Follow the links in the following way: www.leanderisd.org, about LISD, Publications, Leander ISD Insider, Main Page, Board of Trustees HS#5 Name. You will come to a question and answer page where a trustee is explaining how the name was picked. You can also do a search of the Austin American Statesman. A story was written on it a few days ago (I believe on July 3rd).
After reading my first entry I realized I left out a few important words in the first sentence. Leander is not within the city limits of Austin, the new school will be. That is what I meant to say. The city of Leander is at the north end of the district, the new high school at the south end within the city of Austin.

while we are at it, it is fitting to build a monument for the thousands of innocent men, women, and children killed by US troops in iraq...nah, that 'll never happen...

Thanks Gayle for the additional info. I will go visit the sites when I return from visiting my muse this morning; golf.

As to you paulspray, I am sure you must have meant building that monument for "the thousands of innocent men, women and children" killed by Sadam and his henchmen. While we are at it, why stop with this monument. How about another one for all the MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of women who are treated like chattel in the Islamic world and denied their basic human rights? (While the feminist movement is criminally silent.) Or, would you rather sit there and smugly take your cheap shots at the most disciplined and honorable fighting forces the world has ever seen? In closing, I say this to you paulspray, grow up and use that wonderful gift from God, your brain, and ADD something constructive and thoughtful to the discussion.

paulspray --

You're too ignorant to realize that a monument is already being built in Iraq for those innocents who died in this war. It's the same monument that was built by the innocents who died during the Revolutionary War here -- the establishment of a government where leaders are freely elected.

So what? You think the people in Iraq were better off with the Husseins and their torture, mass graves, and rape rooms resulting from their intolerance to any opposition to their rule or merely from their whim of the day?

Every day I say thanks for men (and women) like Matthew Vandegrift, who are willing to sacrifice so we may enjoy the freedoms we have, which happen to include that your nonsense comment here will be posted.

Hey everyone. My name is Steve, and I attended high school with Matt. We met freshman year and created a bond of friendship that endured even after graduation and we went our own ways. I'm glad Matt was honored in this way. He was a good American, Marine, and buddy. He was the guy who was always there to help you out, and motivate you. He came from a wonderful family, and had an impact on many lives. I will miss him, as will others. I'm sure happy to see him honored in such a way that people who never had the pleasure of meeting him will see what a selfless person he was.