The southern gentlemen involved were well educated and, along with the New England patriots who began the struggle for our independence, developed the principles with which our new country could live and prosper.

Very few of us students were aware of the rights and responsibilities that were ours.

Day after day our teacher informed us of the three branches of our government process from the executive to the judicial and legislative. We learned that no one branch had complete control.

Our Civics class was taught by an expert on governmental procedures. His knowledge was a gift to us.

I wonder if Civics had been taught in recent years so many of our citizens would have become so active in anti-governmental groups.

It seems to me that if you spent time learning something it then would hold value to you.

Would knowledge of the struggles for a government of the people, for the people and by the people have developed a love for country?

Should Civics be taught again in high school? Of course but I would hope that many principles of a democracy might be introduced in grade school. Children are our future. It is our duty to present the full knowledge of a democratic society to them.

Civics? You bet. Even I could use a brush-up.

Stay strong, stay well and look forward to better days ahead. Keep smiling.