Vets protest exclusion of 'God' in ceremony

GREENVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Veterans are protesting Greenville school district's decision not to allow references to God to be used inside a high school auditorium during a planned Veterans Day ceremony.
Mayor Clifford H. Harriger and city veterans council chairman James Carlson planned to hold this year's Veterans Day ceremony at the Greenville High School auditorium.
However, school Superintendent Patricia M. Homer and principals John Snyder and Stephen K. Ross said references to God and prayers would not be allowed because of concerns about violating students' civil liberties.
School officials said they were concerned that references to God would spark complaints from activist groups.
Greenville veteran Carmen A. Surano, who serves as an executive officer with the national board of the Italian American War Veterans, said he plans to protest the decision.
Carlson said the aim of the ceremony was to show young people the meaning of Veterans Day and to meet local veterans.