Reagan dishonored at graduation ceremony
I graduated from UCLA this past quarter and participated in the
College Honors Recognition Ceremony at Royce Hall on June 18. In
advance I will tell you that this criticism comes from neither the
right nor from the left but from an apolitical point of view.
I feel UCLA’s failure to play the national anthem or even
acknowledge a moment of silence for former President Ronald Reagan
is inexcusable and very disappointing. Coupled together they are
simply a disgrace that is indeed worthy of a letter of
complaint.
I attended UC Santa Barbara’s graduation, and that fine
university played the national anthem and observed a moment of
silence. I wasn’t surprised that either was done ““ that
is just what happens in America. I would have been shocked if
either was not done.
Yet that is what happened at my graduation.
Regardless of the president, right or left, for 30 days after
his or her death a mourning period is observed.
When one looks at the flagpole between Haines Hall and Kinsey
Hall in Dickson Plaza, one sees a flag at half staff. It is
inexcusable for any university not to honor President Reagan during
this period.
But UCLA, home to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center and just two
miles from his deathbed, did not even acknowledge his death at its
graduation ceremony.
Meanwhile, not even having a recording of the national anthem
shows a complete lack of respect for our nation, its people, its
institutions and its soldiers.
These egregious omissions never can be rectified. Still, I want
to make certain that those involved in planning the ceremony know
the feelings of some of the audience. Though I certainly do not
claim to speak for everyone, I do know that I speak for many in
expressing my displeasure.
Ross Halper UCLA graduate