[Bernard]

If you did something like that every day (and I did when I was in school) you might let it get away from your children. On the other hand, if every American citizen born in this country had a formal ceremony some time around age 14 maybe it would stay with them,

[masadaman]

Both the Pledge daily and an American Confirmation ceremony would be excellent instructional events toward an appreciation for our great country. (Aside: I was raised in the South, attended public schools, K-12, and said the Pledge every day in class at every assembly and athletic event. Until we reached high school and 'home rooms', we also had a stand up, daily Bible reading before class began, each student picking his or her own for the class, ending with the Lord's Prayer and I can assure you it only benefitted the students whatever their background).

I would add the following: To focus our children on the sacrifices made for them to be an American, every high school student must visit an American military cemetery with their class. Not a quick field trip, but an entire afternoon led by teachers and a serving military officer accompanied by a local VFW representative. Time to open eyes, answer questions and tie them into history.