Like all countries, America has a heritage of patriotism, courage, and brotherhood. However, unlike all the rest, our country can boast of  heroes that span the centuries, of battles for right won at home and abroad, and most importantly, of a rich and sturdy love for family.

The American family: the foundation that has made our nation successful, admired, and unified. It has been responsible for the making of fine presidents. The family formed our faith in God, and in doing so, strengthened the backbone of the American spirit. The family, perceived as the heart of our country, elevated America to a height above the rest of the countries in the world. It instilled a character of morality, love of our fellowman, honor, and honesty in the souls of our citizens.

Can we, as Americans of 2011, confidently say that the families of today continue to instill these great values of our American tradition? According to the Superbowl broadcasted on public television on Feb. 6, it would appear as though we certainly cannot.

Beginning with the mangled performance of the National Anthem, to the indecent commercials shown to our children, to the animalistic halftime show display, it became quite apparent that those excellent family values for which America was esteemed are no longer being taught to the youth of today.

Instead, our children are being encouraged to revere base behaviors and rudeness. Courtesy seems to have become a thing of the past. The very dignity of being rational human beings, and more, part of a society that has struggled to attain freedom and civility is being trampled by the uncivilized.

It is our duty, then, to stop this attempt to ruin the American family. We must stand together to promote the traits of decency so that the children of our country will grow to appreciate and exhibit the true and grand American spirit.

Bonnie Kovalak
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Farmingdale