Ever since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, children at a New Jersey elementary school have opted to say "God bless America" after the daily reciting of the pledge. According to Glenview Elementary's Principal Sam Sassano, it wasn't anything promoted or required by the school, but a simple gesture to honor first responders and was accepted as a show of patriotism by school officials and parents alike.

But to the American Civil Liberties Union, such a show of American pride and honoring those lost in a national tragedy is something little children ought not be doing in a public space.

And so, the ACLU sent a letter to the school's attorneys warning them they were treading on unconstitutional lines:

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the government not only from favoring one religion over another, but also from promoting religion over non-religion. The greatest care must be taken to avoid the appearance of governmental endorsement in schools, especially elementary schools, given the impressionable age of the children under the school's care and authority.

Also included in the letter was a mention of a previous court case that rejected invocations of God in schools, as reported by the Courier-Post. Noting a 1962 ruling, the ACLU stated, "the Court halted a school district's practice of students' acknowledging God and asking God's 'blessings on us, our parents, our teachers and our Country' immediately following recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance."

So, instead of entering a long and costly legal battle, Principal Sassano sent a letter to parents saying the school will find other ways to show patriotism:

[I]t has been our view that the practice is fundamentally patriotic in nature and does not invoke or advance any religious message, despite the specific reference to God’s blessing.

Whether the practice of having the students say 'God bless America' at the end of the Pledge of Allegiance is more akin to religious prayer or simply a manifestation of patriotism has no clear cut legal answer.

[The school will] explore alternative methods of honoring the victims and first responders of the 9/11 tragedy.

It was noted in the Courier-Post report that two former kindergarten teachers at the school are credited with starting the tradition shortly after the attacks. Interviews with parents at the school indicated no one has ever said anything until now. "We always prided ourselves on being small school, and doing this in a small setting, having this little tradition," said one parent.

"I was just talking to someone about it, and we said what a great tribute it is, to our country and to free speech and religion," another said. "It's really a shame that one person had to have a problem with it, and now it has to change."

Sassano said the school will not prevent any child from saying "God bless America" if their parents so choose.