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WalMart Has Cops Remove Children From Property for Singing ‘God Bless America’ to Remember 9/11 Victims

Sep. 13, 2012 11:31pm
Wal Mart Calls Cops on Elementary Students for Singing God Bless America

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Coconut Palm Elementary Principal Terri Thelmas and 75 of her students, some of them accompanied by their parents, traveled to a local Wal-Mart in Pembroke Pines, Fla. on Wednesday to sing “God Bless America” to honor all the people who lost their lives on the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In response, Wal-Mart called the police and had them removed from the property, CBS Miami reports.

As hard as that may be to believe, Thelmas says it’s true. The principal said the store manager gave her permission to bring the kids and sing “God Bless America” — a one-minute song — the week before.

However, at around 7 p.m. when the group of children showed up, the “on-duty” manager said they would not be allowed to sing because they were a “liability.”

A little deflated, but trying to stay positive, the students took their act outside and tried to sing “God Bless America” in remembrance of  9/11. So, the manager called the Pembroke Pines Police Department and had the patriotic children removed from the premises.

Thelmas expressed her disbelief that Wal-Mart was apparently more concerned about “lawsuits” instead of showing its commitment to the local community on a day that is supposed to be for patriotism and reflection.

According to the CBS report, Wal-Mart issued the following apology on Thursday:

“We regret this happened and apologize to the students, parents and the school for this experience. Unfortunately, this is a situation of miscommunication and should have been handled differently. We are inviting the kids back to the store to honor the victims and fallen heroes.”

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Comments (182)

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  • mike551
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:52am

    @daytona91 Don’t repeat yourself “dude”. Makes you look like an idiot.

    Report this comment

    mike551  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 7:33am

      Was it really necessary for them to call the POLICE?

      Report this comment

      TurboCat  
    • turkey13
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 9:13am

      Come on folks, you can’t blame Wal-Mart! They have to think of all their customers. How would you like to be a Muslim and go to the store and hear sons praising God. This would be like inviteing them over for dinner and just have Ham.

      turkey13  
    • Cservice
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:47am

      I like walmart…. I can go there get a Colt M4 in about 20 minutes…..and I am serious…I like that.

      Report this comment

      Cservice  
    • Jmartintx80
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 11:03am

      @Turkey13

      God Bless America has less to do with praising God, and more to do with thanking God for this country.

      How do you know the manager made the decision in order to protect the delicate sensibilities of Muslims? You’re jumping to conclusions.

      Bottom line, if you’re offended by children singing a song of thanksgiving for our nation, I have to wonder why you are here in the first place.

      Report this comment

      Jmartintx80  
    • Thomas_Jefferson
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 11:04am

      This is what happens when a Liberal Nazi has power.

      Report this comment

      Thomas_Jefferson  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 11:42am

      JMARTINTX80: “Bottom line, if you’re offended by children singing a song of thanksgiving for our nation, I have to wonder why you are here in the first place.”

      I haven’t posted in a long time by I have to comment about the above statement. I love this. I absolutely love this. It should be a bumper sticker. Thank you JMARTIN!

      Report this comment

      Faith1029  
    • Dynaryder
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 11:49am

      Some of you people that reply are the same sheep that you claim other people are. Read the ENTIRE article. It was the sissy manager who couldn’t wait to use his power NOT WAL MART.

      Wal Mart is doing the right thing by inviting these kids back!!

      Report this comment

      Dynaryder  
    • noxid8
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:16pm

      @TURKEY13,

      Hey turkey, don’t you know Muslims believe in god also?

      Report this comment

      noxid8  
    • slade37
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:17pm

      @Turkey13
      I thought Atheists complain more about God references than other faiths do.

      Report this comment

      slade37  
  • TheePolitinator
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:50am

    Wal-Mart can go f itself and what it stands for, as long as sheep keep supporting this crap we will never be free.

    F YOU WALLY WORLD

    Report this comment

    TheePolitinator  
    • Marine 1
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 1:26am

      You know, Walmart will soon be selling prayer rugs for the Muslims. Walmart will also make sure that the prayer rugs work for the Muslim customers by offering the Walmart “Call to Prayer” over the store loud speaker. We won’t be able to get to the toilet paper because some dude praying on the floor will be in our way.

      It won’t be long until every Walmart will be required to have a Muslim store manager and be required to sell Allah car fresheners – they will smell like camels in heat.

      God help us all. Not Alllah help us all – that’s a false god.

      Report this comment

      Marine 1  
    • darkknight91
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 9:26am

      Maybe they should’ve sang the popular Asian hit that’s sweeping the nation “Made in China”.

      Report this comment

      darkknight91  
    • Kalshion
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 3:03pm

      @TheePolitinator

      Oh for heavens sake; READ THE ARTICLE. It wasn’t Walmart that threw these kids off the property it was ONE FREAKING MANAGER.

      You can’t reasonably assume that the entire company is faulty all because of one person, geez.

      Report this comment

      Kalshion  
    • Balpit
      Posted on September 15, 2012 at 1:52pm

      Wal-Mart issued an apology, which is good. And they invited them back to honor the victims and heroes, which is even better. Don’t condemn an entire group (or in this case, a store) based on the actions of one idiot.

      Report this comment

      Balpit  
  • Jerry Frey
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:47am

    An unpardonable disgrace, just like Obama.

    http://napoleonlive.info/see-the-evidence/never-forget-9-11-essay-2/

    Report this comment

    Jerry Frey  
  • daytona91
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:38am

    I’ll bet that particular manager is a Democrap. And voted for Oblowmo and plans to do it again. These are no the instictive reactions of an American.

    Report this comment

    daytona91  
  • Armyduderetired
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:32am

    Oh no don’t boycott Walmart! It’s the only job in town. My unemployment checks go farther there. I am starting to get a rash from all the China made dog food though….

    Report this comment

    Armyduderetired  
  • dylan
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:22am

    Useful idiots, Walmart stores.

    Report this comment

    dylan  
    • DIR
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:41am

      Maybe ‘militant’ Christians (the really nasty ones the left keeps making reference to) should burn Walmart down (well not really, Walmart’s doing a bang up job on it’s own running away business plus they can’t collect the fire insurance and run for the hills with the cash). It worked for the Muslims! I wonder if they’d get an apology from Barry or one of his stooges?

      Report this comment

      DIR  
  • dylan
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:20am

    Useful idiots! Walmart stores, that is!!

    Report this comment

    dylan  
    • Kalshion
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 3:05pm

      And how is it that ‘all’ of the walmart stores are idiots when only ONE of those stores actually did this? Or have you not heard that other walmart stores also had similiar events occur but that this is the only store that had an idiot manager?

      Report this comment

      Kalshion  
  • udt1719
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:18am

    Last time I go to that dump!

    Report this comment

    udt1719  
    • westfayetteville
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 9:37am

      Be fair now, It was the action of one manager that screwed things up.

      According to the CBS report, Wal-Mart issued the following apology on Thursday:

      “We regret this happened and apologize to the students, parents and the school for this experience. Unfortunately, this is a situation of miscommunication and should have been handled differently. We are inviting the kids back to the store to honor the victims and fallen heroes.”

      . At least upper management is tring to fix it.

      Report this comment

      westfayetteville  
    • betsyyoung
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:04am

      I never frequent that gross store. It is full of junk! There is absolutely not one piece of quality merchandise sold at Walmart! And to top it off now, there is not one person of quality that is employed there!

      Report this comment

      betsyyoung  
    • USALOVER2011
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:32am

      West wrote ” At least upper management is tring to fix it”….You do not need to copy and paste, we can read the report dummy. When you wrote “tring” did you mean trying???
      Walmart is responsible for who they hire, this makes me sick. For what’s going on in the world right now?!?!?No way I’m going to shop at Walmart again! I’ll be spending my money at Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby….For groceries, I’ll be going to my local grocery stores!!! WALMART SUCKS……..OMG<=======Romney Ryan2012.
      By the way, for the principal and students, ask your local stores to sing God Bless America instead….Do not, I repeat DO NOT GO BACK to that store and sing the song, they don't deserve it!!!

      Report this comment

      USALOVER2011  
  • BetterInformed
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:08am

    Right after hurricane Katrina passed Walmart opened their door to the first responders and offered them anything they wanted free of charge.
    BTW Walmart actually has a positive effect on inflation.

    Report this comment

    BetterInformed  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:07am

    Now I have three reasons not to shop at wal-mart.
    1. Everything I pick up sez: Made In China
    2. Every isle has its contents displayed in English and spanish
    3. Miscommunication that embarrassed the school children

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report this comment

    garbagecanlogic  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:07am

    If you would have to clean up the mess that a group of 75 kids could do, you would want them gone too. Not that these kids would do anything but 75 people with bad intention is a mob. 75 kids could draw a crowd of hundreds of people just listening even for a minute, but one bump by someone just passing thought and the “adult” start a shoving match. Just who do you call other than the police when you did not know it was authorized by someone who was not even there. Any other day of the year no one shows up to sing anything so just because it is 9-11 it is still unexpected and things like calling the cops before there is a riot are things that happens.

    Report this comment

    TJexcite  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:06am

    SOMEbody forget to tell the next manager on duty what the game plan was.

    Shame on both of them!

    Report this comment

    Elena2010  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:03am

    Why are you holding my comments The Blaze? I am sick and tired of your censoring. The Blaze is a pathetic pile of PC jackasses.

    Report this comment

    NOT A CRAZY  
    • prov1
      Posted on September 15, 2012 at 6:36pm

      Crazy, How did you get fired by Walmart ? Wrongfull coachings/ no open door/ no sundown policy/ forged gun audits/ ? I don’t understand how one would leave $250k salary ???

      Report this comment

      prov1  
  • Chancellor
    Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:01am

    I don’t shop at wally world and never will. They are a blight on the cities and towns of America!

    Report this comment

    Chancellor  
  • Anamah
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:55pm

    Shame on you Wal Mart This has been really a terrible offense also to me as a costumer, and I am sure to many other costumers. If you can not appreciate the beauty to express and to receive good wishes and to our country to be blessed you should make the effort to know it. Thank you so much to Principal Terri Thelmas and her students, and for you: That was an incredible stupid mistake in your Pembroke Pines store!

    Report this comment

    Anamah  
  • Seeds
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:54pm

    ok where are my posts?

    Report this comment

    Seeds  
  • Dont-hate-on-me-2
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:52pm

    I stopped shopping there after they had the Veterans arrested. Walmart = Fail

    Report this comment

    Dont-hate-on-me-2  
  • Seeds
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:52pm

    So sad and especially in the night manager

    Usually Walmarts will come through for Americans

    Report this comment

    Seeds  
    • Chancellor
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:09am

      BS! Wally world doesn’t give a cr@p about Americans! Cut off the Green backs and they close up shop and leave!

      Report this comment

      Chancellor  
  • Seeds
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:48pm

    Very sad especially in that manager…
    Walmarts usually comes through in the end for Americans

    Report this comment

    Seeds  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:59pm

      What in the hell are you talking about? Let me tell you a little not-so-secret. Every single box that comes off of a Walmart truck is in a cheap Chinese box and that box is full of Chinese crap. There are usually about one or two boxes that have Pakistani garbage in them. Is that coming through for America? Walmart is a corporate sell-out. End of Story.

      Report this comment

      NOT A CRAZY  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:47pm

    Before we blame Walmart entirely, we have take into consideration that a single “on duty” manager made the decision. That person bares the brunt of the decision, and not the home office. Also, whoever gave the children permission in the first placed who is likely the actual store manager failed to pass along the information. Fault lies with the local personnel.

    Report this comment

    RJJinGadsden  
    • Abramsarai
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:49am

      Right, simply fire or at least demote that manager, at the very least post his name and insist on a personal apology, not one from corporate.

      Report this comment

      Abramsarai  
  • txjb
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:46pm

    School , write them off and do not go back !!

    Report this comment

    txjb  
    • BetterInformed
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 12:04am

      Have another beer then go outside and run through the trailer park telling everyone you encounter that you hate them. I’m sure you’ll find this is a better way to express yourself/

      Report this comment

      BetterInformed  
    • txjb
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:22am

      better, wipe the liberal puke off yourshirt .

      Report this comment

      txjb  
    • USALOVER2011
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 10:39am

      Amen TXJB….I’m with you 100%…

      Report this comment

      USALOVER2011  
  • Spinetti
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:45pm

    Come on, this is Walmart. I mean, check out what is in that place–yes, I’m talking “peopleofwalmart.com”. And these photos are the politically-correct ones–

    http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos/

    Report this comment

    Spinetti  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:43pm

    http://news.walmart.com/news-archive/2012/01/17/pembroke-pines-welcomes-new-walmart

    Frank Sealy was the manager when this store opened in January. You can call 1-800-Walmart or email your displeasure at https://corporate.walmart.com/contact-us/store-corporate-feedback

    I can promise and guarantee you that as a former Walmart Store Manager this will not be a good thing for the management at that store and it will be a training moment for the management at all of the other stores. Make them pay.

    Report this comment

    NOT A CRAZY  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:42pm

    America is in deep scheiße.

    Report this comment

    MrButcher  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:38pm

    I wonder if the manager is a Muslim?

    Report this comment

    NOT A CRAZY  
    • texastommy
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 9:01am

      If he was, the store would be bankrupt by now.

      Report this comment

      texastommy  
    • jimbo_from_suwanee
      Posted on September 14, 2012 at 9:55am

      Almost guaranteed that she was an Obama voter! Can our republic survive with this? I heard they are inviting them back to sing their little song, but it is NO LONGER THE 11th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11!

      This is like kicking kids out for singing on Christmas day, and then inviting kids over to sing Christmas carols after they go back to school in January.

      Report this comment

      jimbo_from_suwanee  
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